Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Playa Los Cerritos (Los Cerritos Beach) is widely described as a consistent surf destination with both a sandy beach break and a right-hand point break at the northern end. The beach side is typically positioned as the easiest entry—helpful for learning and for navigating the whitewater—while the point/rockier section is where the more powerful, longer rides develop. Swells are reported to start working around 1.0–1.5 m (3–5 ft) and can hold up to roughly 4 m+ (12 ft). Wave quality is described as good to moderate power overall. For timing, sources generally agree that all tides can work, with additional emphasis from regional/spot guidance that conditions can be favorable during both rising and falling water. Wind patterns are seasonally and thermally influenced: one provider reports thermal/sea-breeze behavior with an East offshore preference for cleaner surf, while another notes side-onshore conditions at times and a mixed wind regime. Practically, that means you should check day-of conditions—especially if you’re trying wind/water sports—because the point area and the approach can become more hazardous when shore break and rips intensify. Safety is a recurring priority at this launch. Rocks near the point break and rips are highlighted, and stingrays are specifically mentioned for entry/exit. Local tips include never surfing alone, using a leash, staying hydrated, and (for beginners) staying in the sandy beach break area rather than going straight to the rocky point. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as absent to seasonal and rescue as limited, so self-reliance and conservative entry are important.
- Sandy bottom with accessible inside break for beginners
- Point/reefier northern end can produce longer, peeling rights
- Swells working from ~1.0–1.5 m and holding up to ~4 m+
- All tides reported workable; timing the session can matter for peak sections
- Afternoon sea-breeze/thermal effects are common in the region
- Consistent surf with a sandy beach break plus a long right-hand point option
- Clean water and moderate waves are commonly reported
- Great beginner access via the inside/sandy beach break
- Watch out for rocks near the point break
- Rip currents are often present
- Stingrays and heavy shore break are noted hazards (especially on approach/exit)
- Crowds can build at the main peak in peak season
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- E, NNE, NE, ESE, SE, N
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Providers also note prevailing Northwest gradient winds with localized afternoon thermal/sea-breeze effects.
- Reliability
- pretty consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady — One provider describes steady gusts; another describes moderate gusts (conflict).
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Typical surf described as medium; holding up to ~4 m+ on larger days.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access (< 5 min) from parking to sand; wide sandy areas can also provide space for setup (provider variance).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy to access; one provider rates launch difficulty as moderate (conflict).
Through the year
Winter months and weekends can be busier; one provider also reports few surfers overall on weekdays/weekends (conflict).
August highest rainfall; August–September can see tropical storms/hurricanes (regional guidance).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Challenging mainly due to side-onshore prevailing winds and significant shore break; more commonly suited to downwinders than stationary riding sessions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Occasional wave sailing possible when Northwest winds align with a clean swell; primarily surfing-dominated conditions at the spot.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–5.7 m²
Ridable due to deep water and consistent swell, but heavy shore break makes entering/exiting with a foil difficult.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Los Cerritos features a sandy beach break plus a right-hand point break off the cliff/northern end, with inside beach peaks generally more beginner-friendly and the point/reefier areas better for intermediates to advanced surfers depending on conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Reported as all-tides by both; one provider further notes rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open-coast exposure; exposed conditions reported overall.
- Wind Effect
- Best with East offshore winds; another provider notes cleanest conditions with East or Northeast offshore winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 4m+; becomes very heavy and more rip-prone on larger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — One provider describes mushy; another describes peeling (conflict).
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Point break described as peeling rights; mushy vs peeling (conflict across providers).
- Ride Length
- Short — Short (< 50m) normal; 150–300m on good days (conflict on label, but both describe short-to-long depending on day).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides are typical; on better days the point can reach roughly 150–300 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) in the full forecast view.
Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- WNW287°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 23–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 1.0–1.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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 near the point break
- rip currents
- heavy shore break
- stingrays
- heat exhaustion
- crowds at the main peak
- potentially submerged rocks at certain tide levels
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Lifeguards are reported as none by one provider and seasonal by another (conflict).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Reported as no/lack of rescue by one provider; regional guidance indicates rescue is limited (conflict).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in El Pescadero and Todos Santos; nearest emergency services are reachable via 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One provider reports none; another reports mild localism (conflict).
Rules of the spot
Respect other surfers; standard surf etiquette applies; be mindful of beginners in the whitewater area.
- Avoid the rocky point area if you are a beginner
- Be extra cautious with rips during larger swells
- Never surf alone
- Wear a leash
- Check conditions before entering
- Respect local marine life
- Stay hydrated
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays
- Beginners should stay in the sandy beach break area away from the rocky point
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Todos Santos
- Nearest Town
- El Pescadero
- Nearest Airport
- Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
- Parking
- Free, abundant/safe parking reported as available in a sandy or dirt lot near the beach.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus service (regional guidance).
- Access
- Turn off main road near Pescadero (providers cite dirt-road access off major roads). Provider directions include turning off Mex 19/Highway 19 near Pescadero and following dirt roads to sandy parking near the beach; walking time from parking to sand is reported as under 5 minutes.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options are reported as present in/near El Pescadero and Todos Santos; one provider describes several boutique hotels/surf camps/vacation rentals directly on or near the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drinks reported available via restaurants/beach clubs on/near the sand.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available (including surfboards and wetsuits); wind-specific gear is less common and often sourced from elsewhere.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage reported as limited/uncertain; one provider says no dedicated public gear storage.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair available locally; some regional guidance notes wetsuit/board repair in the area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Todos Santos offers a historic town feel with arts/culture alongside Pacific beach access. Winter-to-spring is generally recommended for calmer, more comfortable outdoor touring conditions.
A historic colonial town recognized for its art galleries and architecture.
An 18th-century Jesuit mission in Todos Santos.
Humpback and gray whales frequently visible during winter migration.
Mountain trails with desert biodiversity and panoramic views.
Farm-to-table dining using on-site grown ingredients.
Seasonal conservation programs where visitors can help release sea turtles.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero)?
The best overall months at Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) are November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero)?
Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) works with E, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are E, NNE, NE, ESE, SE, N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–15 kts.
What skill level is Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) suitable for?
Los Cerritos Beach (El Pescadero) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.