San Pedrito Beach gallery 1

    San Pedrito Beach

    El Pescadero's point break: rights over sharp rocks, biggest November to March

    San Pedrito Beach
    El Pescadero's point break: rights over sharp rocks, biggest November to March

    About

    About San Pedrito Beach

    San Pedrito is El Pescadero's surf point, a beach hemmed in by rocky escarpments about 8 km south of Todos Santos, listed by the La Paz tourism office as Playa San Pedrito El Estero. Turn west off Highway 19 at the San Pedrito sign around km 59 and follow the dirt road about 2.4 km to the sand; access is easy and there is a parking area.

    The point break has a rocky bottom and breaks best on a north swell, for advanced surfers; it works all year but is biggest from November to March, with the cleanest waves in January. Go early or late: by noon the wind comes up and the waves drop. Expect crowds when it fires, and watch for urchins, rips and rocks. Beginners do better at Cerritos, a few kilometres south, where surfers of all levels share a sandy bottom.

    The water is not for casual swimmers: strong currents, a rocky bottom and large waves, and rescues of swimmers dragged out by the waves have made the local news. Whales can be seen from the beach in season, the village runs a sea turtle festival in September and October with hatchling releases in the months that follow, and sport fishing, camping and picnics are the other listed activities. The gate and ruined buildings at the entrance belong to the old San Pedrito RV Park, all but destroyed by Hurricane Ignacio in August 2003 and never reopened. Bring shade and water; parking is the only service.

    Sources: La Paz tourism office · Visit Los Cabos, Todos Santos · Go La Paz, El Pescadero · Surf-Forecast · Journal del Pacífico · WannaSurf · BCS Noticias · Cabo San Lucas Beaches (local directory)

    Best forPhotography, Scenic Views, Walking, Water Sports, Whale Watching
    Crowd levelOften crowded when the point fires
    Best time to visitEarly morning or late afternoon, November to March; January has the cleanest surf
    AccessPublic surf beach, dirt-road access

    Highlights

    Highlights

    The pointA right-hander over a rocky bottom that breaks best on a north swell and is biggest from November to March.
    The old RV parkThe gate and ruined buildings at the entrance are what Hurricane Ignacio left of the San Pedrito RV Park in 2003.
    Turquoise water, golden sandClear water below the rocky escarpments and a long stretch of coast to walk.
    Whales from the beachIn season the migration passes close enough to watch from the sand.

    FAQs

    No. It is a point break with a rocky bottom, strong currents and sharp rocks, rated for advanced surfers. Beginners should head to Cerritos, a few kilometres south, which suits all levels.

    It is not a swimming beach. The municipality warns about the large waves, the bottom is rocky and the currents are strong; a swimmer had to be rescued from the rocks in November 2024. Enjoy the water from the sand.

    It works all year but is biggest from November to March, with the cleanest conditions in January; it breaks best on a north swell. Surf early or late in the day, before the midday wind.

    Hurricane Ignacio all but destroyed it in August 2003 and it never reopened. The sign at the highway and the ruined buildings by the beach are what remain.

    Beach Conditions

    Beach Safety

    Swimming at this beach

    Not a swimming beach

    Not for swimming at any time. Open Pacific water with strong currents and shore break year-round. Beautiful to walk and to photograph — do not go in.

    Rip current safety level · permanent editorial override
    High
    Modeled waves today
    2.0 m max 14 sec max period · peak waves from SW
    Modeled wind today
    11 km/h max gusts up to 28 km/h · strongest wind from WNW

    Editorial safety profile override · 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 safety profile permanently overrides model conditions for this beach.

    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 5 minutes ago

    Location

    Location

    Playa San Pedrito (El Estero), El Pescadero, Baja California Sur

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended Duration2-4 hours
    Best Time to VisitEarly morning or late afternoon, November to March; January has the cleanest surf

    Quick Tips

    Quick Tips

    Surf early or late; by noon the wind is up.
    New to surfing? Go to Cerritos instead.
    Bring shade and water; parking is the only service.
    Check the swell: it needs a north swell to work well.

    Amenities

    Amenities

    Parking areaThe only listed service; access is easy.
    Nothing else on the sandBring shade, water and food.
    El Pescadero nearbyPalapas and bungalows on the beach and restaurants built around the catch of the day, a few minutes away.

    Things To Do

    Things To Do

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

    SurfAdvanced riders on a north swell; the point works all year and is biggest in winter.
    Watch the lineupWhen it fires, the point is a show in itself; bring a long lens.
    Whale watchingFrom the beach in season, no boat needed.
    Turtle festivalEl Pescadero holds its sea turtle festival in September and October, with hatchling releases afterwards.
    Fish or campSport fishing, camping and picnics are the activities the municipality lists here.

    Beach Conditions

    Beach Safety

    Swimming at this beach

    Not a swimming beach

    Not for swimming at any time. Open Pacific water with strong currents and shore break year-round. Beautiful to walk and to photograph — do not go in.

    Rip current safety level · permanent editorial override
    High
    Modeled waves today
    2.0 m max 14 sec max period · peak waves from SW
    Modeled wind today
    11 km/h max gusts up to 28 km/h · strongest wind from WNW

    Editorial safety profile override · 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 safety profile permanently overrides model conditions for this beach.

    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 5 minutes ago

    Safety & Conditions

    Safety & Conditions

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

    Strong currents and rocksA rocky bottom with sharp rocks and strong currents; not a place to swim casually.
    Rescues on recordIn November 2024 a swimmer dragged out by the waves clung to the rocks until police and volunteer firefighters reached him.
    Urchins and ripsWatch for urchins, rips and rocks around the point.
    Midday windThe wind comes up by noon and the surf drops; the sea gets messier.

    Location

    Location

    Playa San Pedrito (El Estero), El Pescadero, Baja California Sur

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended Duration2-4 hours
    Best Time to VisitEarly morning or late afternoon, November to March; January has the cleanest surf

    Nearby You'll Love

    Nearby You'll Love

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    No. It is a point break with a rocky bottom, strong currents and sharp rocks, rated for advanced surfers. Beginners should head to Cerritos, a few kilometres south, which suits all levels.