Fig Tree Beach gallery 1

    Fig Tree Beach

    A wild cove marked by a twisted old fig tree: rough surf, no services, calm days only

    Fig Tree Beach
    A wild cove marked by a twisted old fig tree: rough surf, no services, calm days only

    About

    About Fig Tree Beach

    Fig Tree Beach, or Playa Higuera, is one of the lesser-known stops on the East Cape's dirt coastal road, about 19.6 miles from San José del Cabo, or roughly 35 miles south of La Ribera just past Rancho San Luis if you come from the north. The landmark is a gnarled, twisted old fig tree that looks completely out of place above the rocks; the beach is just beyond it.

    It is a wild-looking beach, lashed by waves and partly hidden among rock formations, and the surf is rough. Like the rest of this coast it stays secluded because it takes a dirt road to get here, and there are no facilities of any kind, so bring water, shade and food. Most days it is a place to look at, walk and photograph; go in only on a calm day, and know that the Sea of Cortez surf season, late May to September, brings the biggest waves to this shore.

    Shipwrecks, the East Cape's best-known point break, lies a few miles south, and the road continues north toward Cabo Pulmo National Park and Los Frailes.

    Sources: Cabo San Lucas Beaches (local directory) · Los Cabos Guide (local directory) · Visit Los Cabos, East Cape · Visit Los Cabos, surf season

    Best forPhotography, Scenic Views, Walking
    Crowd levelEmpty most of the time
    Best time to visitMorning light for the tree and the rocks; calm days for exploring the shore
    AccessRemote cove, dirt-road access

    Highlights

    Highlights

    The fig treeA gnarled, twisted old fig above the rocks marks the spot and gives the beach its name.
    Rocks and wavesA savage-looking cove lashed by surf and partly hidden among rock formations.
    The East Cape roadDirt all the way, which keeps the coast secluded; no services between San José del Cabo and Cabo Pulmo.

    FAQs

    On the East Cape's dirt coastal road, about 19.6 miles from San José del Cabo, or 35 miles south of La Ribera just past Rancho San Luis. The beach is just beyond the old fig tree that gives it its name.

    Only on a calm day, and only if you know the coast: the surf is rough and breaks among rocks, and there are no services or lifeguards on this stretch. Most days it is a beach to look at and walk.

    No. There are no facilities of any kind, and no services between San José del Cabo and Cabo Pulmo, so bring water, shade and food.

    Beach Conditions

    Beach Safety

    Swimming at this beach

    Depends on the day

    Sometimes swimmable, sometimes not — it depends on the surf that day. Check the flag posted on the sand, and stay out of the water where no flag is posted.

    Modeled waves today
    1.8 m max 14 sec max period · peak waves from SSE
    Modeled wind today
    18 km/h max gusts up to 34 km/h · strongest wind from E

    This rating is our editorial classification of the beach itself, not a reading of today’s water. The numbers above are modeled estimates. For today, the authority is the flag flown on the sand by ZOFEMAT Los Cabos: red means stay out, yellow means extreme caution, black means the beach is closed.

    Open-Meteo public model data · Checked

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory. Always follow posted flags and lifeguard instructions.

    Data sources

    The approved editorial profile allows a model verdict; a conditional profile can never display green.

    Open-Meteo Marine: modeled wave height, period, and direction.

    Open-Meteo Weather: modeled 10 m wind and gusts.

    Jellyfish Watch

    Marine Life Watch

    Jellyfish Watch

    Elevated activity

    Recent nearby sightings suggest extra caution before entering the water.

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory.

    Data sources

    Sources: iNaturalist public observations and Open-Meteo Marine - refreshed 1 second ago

    Location

    Location

    Fig Tree Beach (Playa Higuera), East Cape coastal road, Los Cabos

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended Duration30-60 minutes
    Best Time to VisitMorning light for the tree and the rocks; calm days for exploring the shore

    Quick Tips

    Quick Tips

    Bring water, shade and food; there is nothing here.
    Use the fig tree as your landmark; there is no sign.
    Combine it with Shipwrecks or Cabo Pulmo rather than driving out for this beach alone.

    Amenities

    Amenities

    NoneNo food, water, shade or restrooms at the beach.
    Stock up firstSupplies in San José del Cabo or La Ribera; nothing along the coastal road between them.
    Landmark onlyThe fig tree is the only sign; the beach is unmarked.

    Things To Do

    Things To Do

    Simple beach-day activities that fit the setting and conditions.

    Photograph the treeThe contorted fig against the sea is the picture everyone stops for.
    Walk the rocksExplore the formations along the shore on calm days, away from the breaking surf.
    Keep drivingShipwrecks and Nine Palms lie to the south, Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes to the north.

    Beach Conditions

    Beach Safety

    Swimming at this beach

    Depends on the day

    Sometimes swimmable, sometimes not — it depends on the surf that day. Check the flag posted on the sand, and stay out of the water where no flag is posted.

    Modeled waves today
    1.8 m max 14 sec max period · peak waves from SSE
    Modeled wind today
    18 km/h max gusts up to 34 km/h · strongest wind from E

    This rating is our editorial classification of the beach itself, not a reading of today’s water. The numbers above are modeled estimates. For today, the authority is the flag flown on the sand by ZOFEMAT Los Cabos: red means stay out, yellow means extreme caution, black means the beach is closed.

    Open-Meteo public model data · Checked

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory. Always follow posted flags and lifeguard instructions.

    Data sources

    The approved editorial profile allows a model verdict; a conditional profile can never display green.

    Open-Meteo Marine: modeled wave height, period, and direction.

    Open-Meteo Weather: modeled 10 m wind and gusts.

    Jellyfish Watch

    Marine Life Watch

    Jellyfish Watch

    Elevated activity

    Recent nearby sightings suggest extra caution before entering the water.

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory.

    Data sources

    Sources: iNaturalist public observations and Open-Meteo Marine - refreshed 1 second ago

    Safety & Conditions

    Safety & Conditions

    Quick read before you go. Conditions can change by day, so check local flags before entering the water.

    Rough surfFor the adventurous only; the waves break among rocks and there is no one to help.
    RocksWatch your footing on the formations and keep clear of the wash.
    Remote roadAllow time for the dirt road and avoid it after heavy rain; hurricane season runs 15 May to 30 November.

    Location

    Location

    Fig Tree Beach (Playa Higuera), East Cape coastal road, Los Cabos

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended Duration30-60 minutes
    Best Time to VisitMorning light for the tree and the rocks; calm days for exploring the shore

    Nearby You'll Love

    Nearby You'll Love

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    On the East Cape's dirt coastal road, about 19.6 miles from San José del Cabo, or 35 miles south of La Ribera just past Rancho San Luis. The beach is just beyond the old fig tree that gives it its name.