Cabo Colonet
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cabo Colonet is a remote, exposed rocky point break on the Baja California coast, best surfed during winter when west swells line up with offshore/easterly wind patterns. The spot is known for producing a powerful right-hand point wave with long rides when the face holds and connecting sections form on a solid swell. The environment is rugged and self-sufficient by necessity: access involves a long, rough dirt-road approach where high clearance and 4WD are strongly recommended. Facilities and support are minimal at the spot, and conditions can change quickly—especially on larger swells, when the paddle out becomes significantly more difficult and lateral drift/currents may increase. Wind can make or break the day. East winds are reported to give cleaner, more offshore conditions, while northwest winds may blow the spot out and create heavy chop. Wind reliability is described as low and the cliffs can create wind-shadow effects in certain situations, so checking multiple cues before entry matters. Safety is the priority at Cabo Colonet: sharp/submerged rocks are a key hazard, the entry can be slippery, and rescue/lifeguard coverage is not present. Plan for self-rescue readiness and only enter if you can manage the combination of rocky access, exposure, and the changing currents that can come with winter surf.
- Exposed west-swell-driven point break (winter prime season)
- Long, powerful right-hand rides when sections connect
- Remote/low-crowd surf with minimal on-site support
- Strong safety emphasis due to submerged/sharp rocks and limited rescue
- Exposed point break known for clean groundswells in winter.
- Right-hand point break with long, powerful rides when sections connect.
- Low crowd levels reported due to remoteness and difficult access.
- Rocky, exposed entry and submerged/ sharp rocks create significant risk.
- Remote location with limited/no rescue and no lifeguards on site.
- Wind conditions can be unreliable, and some wind directions can blow the wave out into heavy chop.
- Currents can be moderate to strong along the point during larger swell.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE
- No-go directions
- WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontally influenced conditions are reported, with additional local effects around the coast.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow directly under the cliffs during offshore conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline and point-headland environment.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big
- Launch
- Small — Difficult entry over slippery rocks and cobblestones; rocky shelf near the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Slip-prone rocky/cobblestone entry; difficult paddle conditions on larger swell.
Through the year
Generally low crowds due to remote location; can get busier on weekends during major swell events.
Rainy season typically occurs between December and March, which can make access roads impassable.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed rocky point break with a powerful right-hand wave. Best in winter with clean groundswells, and it can handle significant swell size (with a harder paddle out and more difficult entry on some conditions). Submerged/sharp rocks are a major hazard.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Point-headland exposure; surrounding cliffs do not guarantee protection—conditions can become heavy depending on wind direction.
- Wind Effect
- East winds provide cleaner, more offshore conditions; northwest winds blow the spot out and can create heavy chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Maintains its shape well and increases in power, but the paddle out becomes significantly more difficult.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported good wave quality in suitable conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — Reported long right-hand point break; when sections connect on a solid swell, rides can exceed 200 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long rides are reported when the line connects on a solid swell (commonly cited as 200 meters or more).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cabo Colonet in the full forecast view.
Cabo Colonet wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- NW309°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2313 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 14–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cabo Colonet is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.0–1.6 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- submerged rocks
- sharp rocks
- strong currents
- remote location
- slippery cobblestone entry
- limited access for rescue
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue services are reported to be stationed at these remote coastal locations.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Ensenada/Colonet area; closest major hospital is reported in Ensenada, about 130km north. Mobile reception can be unreliable at the water’s edge.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Respect the few locals and travelers camping in the area.
Rules of the spot
Standard surf etiquette applies; respect the few locals and travelers camping in the area.
- No lifeguards on site; expect limited or no organized rescue.
- Ensure your vehicle is equipped for rugged dirt roads.
- Carry a comprehensive first-aid kit as professional medical help is far away.
- Check the tide before entry to avoid the most hazardous rock sections.
- Be self-sufficient on arrival (limited services in the immediate area).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ensenada
- Nearest Town
- Colonet
- Nearest Airport
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)
- Parking
- Primitive parking is available at bluff-top camping areas.
- Public Transport
- No public transport directly to the coastal points; access is via unpaved tracks and a private vehicle is essential.
- Access
- Access is via a long and rugged dirt road from Highway 1; high clearance/4WD is recommended, especially after rain.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Basic hotels are available in the town of Colonet; primitive dry camping is the only option at the spot.
- Food & Drink
- None available at the spot; all supplies must be brought from the town of Colonet.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental facilities in the immediate area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The surrounding Cabo Colonet area is described as a raw, off-the-grid coastal escape shaped by volcanic terrain and quiet exploration, centered on nature and rugged access.
A landscape of extinct cinder cones and lava flows near the coast.
A network of dirt trails along the coast for off-roading and overland travel.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cabo Colonet?
The best overall months at Cabo Colonet are January, February, December, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Cabo Colonet?
Cabo Colonet works with ESE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE. No-go directions are WNW, NW.
What skill level is Cabo Colonet suitable for?
Cabo Colonet suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.