El Cardon
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
El Cardon is an exposed right-hand point break in the Baja Norte “Seven Sisters” area, described as usually having waves and known for long, rippable/peeling sections. Multiple sources emphasize that rides can extend to easily hundred-yard lengths (and other provided estimates describe typical rides around 150–300 meters), making it a destination for surfers seeking extended runs along the point. Wave conditions are also described as challenging and not easy to surf, even though wave quality is reported as good to excellent and the break is characterized as a fun right-point with rippable walls on the right swell. One provided description notes the best performance with south swells, while another describes optimal swell alignment as West/Northwest and highlights the break’s ability to handle larger Northwest swells, becoming more powerful and challenging. Hazards and remoteness are central to the spot’s safety picture. Sharks are repeatedly identified as a primary hazard, alongside rocks and additional land/lineup dangers mentioned in the available data (including strong currents/rips during large swells, kelp, and urchins). The coast is described as remote with no organized rescue services or lifeguards; no cell service is reported, and emergency access is limited. Logistically, the spot is presented as self-sufficient only: facilities such as food/drink and equipment rental are described as unavailable, and visitors are advised to bring everything needed (water, fuel, and food) and to use a sturdy vehicle for rough access roads. Tide timing is also flagged—approaching during mid-tide cycles is noted as beneficial—along with preparation for harsh access conditions (rain making dirt roads impassable is mentioned for the broader region).
- Long, rippable right-hand point waves with long ride lengths
- Offshore northeast wind reported for cleanest surfing conditions
- Remote, self-sufficiency required; no organized rescue services reported
- Sharks and rocks are primary hazards
- Long, rippable/peeling right-hand point waves are described, with ride lengths easily hundred-yard long on good swells
- Clean sand bottom and generally clean water reported
- Offshore wind conditions reported with northeast winds for surf
- Remote location with no organized rescue services or lifeguards reported
- Challenging surf; conditions described as not easy to surf
- Primary hazards include sharks and rocks
- Extreme isolation requires full self-sufficiency (food/water/gear)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Northeast winds reported as the best wind direction; sources also mention a mixed wind pattern and common afternoon sea-breeze influence in spring/summer.
- Reliability
- Moderate (more frequent wind in spring months in the available data).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gusts in the available data.
- Best Months
- January
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand composition is reported by one provider; another provider reports mixed beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — One source describes medium wave size; another mentions a point can hold significant size on the right swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline with some sandy patches suitable for launching in the bay (reported).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate in the available data.
Through the year
Usually quiet, but can get busy during holiday weekends or when a major swell is forecast (reported).
Occasional winter rains; and the regional baseline notes rare tropical storm remnants can bring heavy rain and flash flooding between August and October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote wave kiting destination; point offers long right-handers, and it’s described as strictly for self-sufficient riders due to extreme isolation.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent wave sailing potential described for advanced riders; long rights provide room for maneuvers when the wind aligns with swell.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible in the bay area, but described as challenging due to the rocky point and kelp; deep water outside the break is suitable once past initial rocks.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
El Cardon is described as an exposed right-hand point break with long, rippable/peeling sections. Conditions are described as challenging and not easy to surf, with stronger performance on good south/West-to-NW swell alignment (depending on the source).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, WNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is noted as optimal in the available data.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- Northeast winds are offshore and provide the cleanest conditions (reported).
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger Northwest swells well; can become more powerful and challenging (reported).
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality is described as excellent in the spot-level data; other data describes wave quality as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported in the available data for surfing.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand point waves are described.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides; sources describe rides easily over 100 yards and also mention several hundred meters on a good swell (details provided below).
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported as easily hundred-yard long; another provided estimate states about 150–300 meters on typical waves, and several hundred meters of peeling along the point on a good swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Cardon in the full forecast view.
El Cardon wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- WNW290°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2314 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.8 m8s period
- Temperature
- 17–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Cardon is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.8–1.8 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Sharks
- Rocks
- Urchins
- Rattlesnakes on land
- Strong currents and rip currents during large swells
- Kelp beds in the lineup
- Clams in the sand bottom (noted as part of the sea-floor composition)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No organized rescue availability reported.
- Emergency Info
- No cell service reported; nearest basic medical facilities are in El Rosario (spot-level provider). Regional baseline notes nearest medical facilities about 1.5–2 hours away and recommends satellite communication due to lack of cellular coverage.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported in the available data.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local environment and pack out all trash. There are no formal rules reported, but self-sufficiency is expected on this remote coast.
- No organized rescue services; self-sufficient riding required.
- Bring all supplies including water, fuel, and food—there are no services for many miles.
- 4WD is highly recommended for rough access roads.
- Check tide charts; the point is best approached during mid-tide cycles (reported).
- Use the buddy system; no organized rescue services reported.
- In high sun, the experience can feel intensely bright on the sand-bottom point (reported tip).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Miguel
- Nearest Town
- San Miguel
- Parking
- Primitive camping and parking along the bluffs overlooking the point (reported).
- Public Transport
- No public transport to the area; high-clearance vehicle needed for dirt tracks (regional baseline).
- Access
- Access is described via long, washboard dirt roads requiring a sturdy vehicle and careful navigation (spot-level provider). Primitive camping/parking along bluffs overlooking the point is described (spot-level provider).
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Remote beach camping is the only option at the spot (reported), and accommodation is limited to primitive beach camping (regional baseline).
- Food & Drink
- No food/drink available; travelers must be entirely self-sufficient (reported).
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available; bring all your own gear and spares (reported).
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage reported; equipment must be stored in personal vehicles or campsites (regional baseline).
- Gear Repair
- None available; bring a repair kit for boards and sails (reported).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Cardon?
The best overall months at El Cardon are March, April, May, June, July. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at El Cardon?
El Cardon works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Cardon?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Cardon: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is El Cardon suitable for?
El Cardon suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Expert.