Monuments (Cabo San Lucas)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) is a well-known, exposed left-hand point/reef break that’s prized for its consistency and fast, powerful wave face. The wave starts working at around 1.5–2 m and can hold substantially larger size (reports mention up to 4 m+), with rides commonly in the 50 to 150 meter range when you get a clean connection. Depending on swell period, it can become very heavy on bigger sets. The break is described as both spinning-barrel capable and high-performance, with offshore northwest winds typically grooming the face. Sources emphasize that it’s primarily a South to Southwest swell wave (with west swells also fitting), and that the best performance generally arrives on mid-to-high tide—particularly on a rising tide. Wind direction details also note that west winds can add chop. Safety is a major factor at this spot. The bottom is shallow over boulders/rock and has a high concentration of sea urchins, plus submerged rocks close to the surface. Strong currents can develop during larger swells and rip currents are reported, so being caught inside is especially unforgiving. Multiple tips underline that you should not surf at low tide, and that protective footwear is strongly recommended for safer entry and exit. Crowding is generally lighter on weekdays, but because the take-off zone is tight, the spot can become crowded on good days and during better swell/wind windows. Access is described as requiring driving through a guarded entrance associated with the Misiones del Cabo area and using designated paths; parking is limited near the entrance.
- Very consistent left-hand point/reef break
- Best on mid-to-high tide with a South/Southwest (or west) swell
- Offshore NW winds typically groom the face
- Very consistent left-hand point break.
- Strong wave quality with fast, powerful sections and potential for heavy barrels.
- Works best on a mid-to-high rising tide with the right South/Southwest swell and offshore NW winds.
- Extremely shallow, rock-and-sea-urchin bottom makes wipeouts painful and risky.
- Not suitable at low tide; conditions become much more dangerous when rocks/urchins are closest to the surface.
- Tight take-off zone can create crowding and makes crowd management critical.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing northwest winds are described as very consistent trade-style wind around the spot.
- Reliability
- Very consistent (about 150 days/year) for the wind pattern reported at this spot.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Sources also describe a light-gust pattern with winds that often transition to afternoon sea-breeze conditions.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Point can create a wind shadow for the immediate take-off zone on certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed beach/shore composition with rocky shoreline and limited sandy patches.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized wave with starts working around 1.5–2m and can hold up to 4m+.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with limited sandy patches.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky shoreline with limited sandy patches; access and entry/exits are difficult due to shallow rocks and urchins.
Through the year
Busier during summer swell events and weekends; early mornings usually less crowded.
August to October (primary hurricane/storm period that can bring large swells).
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed, consistent left-hand point/reef break that is best on a solid South to Southwest swell with offshore northwest winds. The wave works at mid-to-high tide and can hold significant size.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best on mid and high tide; rising tide is also recommended.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point with little shelter from swell/wind at the break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the northwest/north-northeast typically groom the face; west winds can add chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size; can become very heavy and challenging and may reach double-overhead on longer-period swells while nearby areas are smaller.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as regional classic/world-class with very consistent waves.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful with high-performance speed and strength.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Some descriptions call it hollow; overall shape is characterized as a peeling left with fast sections.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as a high-performance, fast wave.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides are 50 to 150 meters depending on connection.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides typically range from 50 to 150 meters depending on swell connection (some reports also cite around ~100m as a typical range).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) in the full forecast view.
Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- WSW255°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.9 m11s period
- Temperature
- 25–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.1–1.9 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
- sea urchins
- submerged boulders
- shallow sharp reef/shallow boulders
- rip currents
- tight take-off zone
- crowds can build around the tight take-off area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence is indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited in the region; at the spot level, one source states no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in Cabo San Lucas (about 10 minutes away). Universal emergency number is 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local surfing culture is described as moderate; respect local surfers who frequent the tight take-off zone.
Rules of the spot
Experience required; the wave and take-off/entry are in a tight, shallow, rock-and-urchin zone. Do not surf at low tide.
- Not recommended for beginners (dangerous shallow, boulder-and-urchin field and tight take-off zone).
- Access may require driving through a guarded/private entrance and following designated paths.
- Don’t surf at low tide—rocks are close to the surface and sea urchins are everywhere.
- Strong currents can develop during larger swells and can pull toward the rocks.
- Use very protective footwear; booties are highly recommended for safer navigation over urchin-covered rocks.
- Be extra cautious if you get caught inside on shallow, sharp reef—getting stuck is painful and dangerous.
- Have a clear positioning plan; keep an eye on the 'Monument' rock for line/spotting.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cabo San Lucas
- Nearest Town
- Cabo San Lucas
- Parking
- Limited parking near the entrance of the Misiones del Cabo complex (exact details otherwise not specified).
- Access
- East side of the Cabo San Lucas bay; access via a guarded entrance associated with the Missions del Cabo complex. The break is described as below the hotel restaurant area; follow the designated paths/gate approach.
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Misiones del Cabo and The Thompson Hotel are described as directly at the spot.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and bars are located within adjacent resorts; food and drinks are described as available nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated surf rental on this specific beach; gear must be brought from Cabo San Lucas.
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 Monuments (Cabo San Lucas)?
The best overall months at Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Monuments (Cabo San Lucas)?
Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) works with NW, N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE.
What skill level is Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) suitable for?
Monuments (Cabo San Lucas) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.