Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Islas de Todos Santos (off Ensenada) is a remote, expert-only big-wave reef spot where the main break is widely known as “Killers.” It’s characterized by extremely hazardous ocean conditions: big, powerful reef waves over deep water immediately off the reef, with strong currents and reported rip activity close to the breaking zone. Working conditions are described with a strong relationship between swell and wind. East to northeast winds are generally favored for rideable faces, while west winds can make the spot unrideable. The spot is best suited to west and northwest swell directions, and it’s commonly stated to be most consistent in winter, with January highlighted as the top month. The hazards are a major theme across descriptions: sharp rocks/reef, dense sea urchin colonies, shifty deepwater peaks, and heavy shorebreak. Because the islands have no facilities, riders typically need to plan around boat access, cold-water wetsuits, and the lack of on-island support. Rescue availability is described as limited, and emergency access depends on getting from the water back to Ensenada. Overall, the island offers a world-class big-wave surfing experience for advanced riders only—especially on low tide—where the break can hold very large sets and deliver long rides along the reef contour when conditions align.
- Iconic big-wave reef break (Killers)
- Best winds from the east; best swells from west/northwest
- Winter season offers the most consistent, largest swells
- Requires boat access from Ensenada and advanced safety planning
- Iconic big-wave reef surfing venue (Killers)
- Works on west/northwest swells with best winds from the east
- Cold water with seasonal, consistent swell potential
- Access hub and services available in Ensenada
- Extremely dangerous big-wave environment
- Expert-only with remote access and limited rescue
- Strong currents and rip tides near the reef
- Rocks and dense sea urchins (serious injury risk)
- No facilities or gear support on the islands
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — East to northeast winds described; also characterized as frontal in one provider.
- Reliability
- Moderate during winter storm cycles
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Island topography can create turbulence on the leeward side.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rock/reef character dominates; island access is remote.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Huge to big waves; reef break with reports of double-overhead and tow-in size potential.
- Launch
- Boat launch only; no suitable beach launch for boards.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Expert-only due to remote access and the hazardous reef break.
Through the year
Can be crowded with professional teams and photographers during high-profile swell events.
Winter months can bring rain and heavy storm conditions (often associated with Pacific winter storms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
An extreme big-wave windsurfing location reserved for professional riders during massive swell events, requiring boat support and professional safety teams.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Extreme big-wave reef surfing off Todos Santos, including the famous right-hand reef break known as “Killers.” Waves break over a deep-water reef with shifty peaks and strong, hazardous currents.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–18 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reef break in open ocean conditions; heavy shorebreak reported.
- Wind Effect
- Best with east winds; offshore winds from the east groom large faces. West winds can make it unrideable.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size; big sets stay walled; the spot begins to work properly at around 10 feet and can hold as much size as the Pacific delivers.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good to world-class on working swell; conditions can be unrideable with the wrong wind.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Often described as very powerful big-wave reef surfing.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling; also described as hollow on larger days.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling reported on the major break.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Providers describe medium-to-long rides depending on swell size.
- Typical Ride Length
- 200–400 m
- Ride Length Details
- Wave length reported from about 50–100 meters (one provider), with longer rides on large swells; another provider cites several hundred meters along the reef contour and typical 200–400 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) in the full forecast view.
Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NW305°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 16–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.8–1.4 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Rocks
- Urchins (sea urchins)
- Dangerous deepwater peaks
- Strong currents
- Powerful rip tides near the reef
- Very large waves
- Great white sharks (reported)
- Remote location far from emergency services
- Thick kelp beds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for the island/launch area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited; remote location increases response time.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Ensenada, approximately 12 miles away by boat; nearest town Ensenada.
Rules of the spot
Strictly for expert big-wave riders; boat access required.
- Boat access required
- Advanced skill mandatory
- Professional water safety/jet ski assistance highly recommended
- Boat access from Ensenada is required.
- Not for the faint of heart—avoid in poor conditions due to danger.
- Bring and wear a thick wetsuit (water stays cold).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ensenada
- Nearest Town
- Ensenada
- Nearest Airport
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - 105 km
- Parking
- Parking available at the Ensenada harbor or marinas.
- Public Transport
- Regular ABC bus service connects Ensenada with Tijuana and San Diego; local transit via peseros and taxis is widely available.
- Access
- Boat access from Ensenada required; located about 10 miles out to sea off the island of Todos Santos in Northern Baja.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive accommodation options in Ensenada, ranging from budget to luxury.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the island; all supplies must be brought from the mainland.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is widely available in Ensenada for surfing/SUP; big-wave specialized gear rental is rarely available.
- Gear Storage
- None available on the island.
- Gear Repair
- Shops available in Ensenada for minor fiberglass repairs.
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 Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja)?
The best overall months at Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) are November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July. The best wind months are January, February.
Which wind directions work at Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja)?
Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja): Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) suitable for?
Islas de Todos Santos (Northern Baja) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Expert · Surfing: Advanced to Expert.