Punta Palmilla
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Punta Palmilla is a right-hand reef/point break in a bay near Los Cabos, known for consistent, peeling waves and clear water. Conditions are typically best when a south swell arrives, with the offshore wind component often coming from the northwest. Surf is commonly described as mellow and long-ridable, especially along the point where the wave can peel for extended distances. Several descriptions emphasize that the reef and rocks at the point require careful attention—particularly at low tide—because shallow sections can make the takeoff and inside route more dangerous. Wind for wind-based sports is not a strong focus here: the spot is comparatively sheltered and wind-shadowed by the point and nearby cliffs. For surfing specifically, offshore northwest winds generally improve quality, and early sessions are often cleaner before afternoon breezes build. Crowds can vary, and the area is a popular destination. The bay is surrounded by resorts/condos, so access and parking can be busy at peak times. Local guidance also notes compliance with zone restrictions (no motorized watercraft in designated swimming/surfing areas) and watching for occasional boat traffic.
- Consistent right-hand reef/point surfing on southern swells
- Offshore northwest winds help offshore clean-up
- Blue Flag bay with strong basic facilities
- Very consistent right-hand point/reef break with good water quality in a sheltered bay.
- Can produce long rides when the right southern swell arrives.
- Facilities such as showers and toilets are available.
- Rocks and shallow reef sections at the point can be hazardous, especially at low tide.
- Access can feel constrained by surrounding resorts/condos.
- Rescue availability is limited and occasional boat traffic can occur.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW, N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Afternoon sea-breeze pattern is described for the area; mornings are often calmer. Offshore winds for surf are typically from the northwest.
- Reliability
- Low for wind sports; the spot is mainly a sheltered surf break.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Wind shadows formed by the point/cliffs reduce suitability for kite or windsurfing.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed composition is described; another provider mentions sand beach with reef elements.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — Some descriptions call waves flat/small, while surfing-focused accounts describe usable size from around 1.0 meters up toward larger sets.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch described as generally easy from the sandy bay area, though reef sections exist at/near the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch generally easy from the sandy area of the bay, though hazards exist near the point.
Through the year
Peak crowds during summer holidays and winter tourism; mid-week mornings are usually quieter.
August to September is the hurricane season for Baja Sur.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible in the outer bay on light-wind days, but generally too sheltered for consistent foiling.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling is described as limited; SUP foiling is suggested as more popular.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Right-hand reef and point break with peeling waves; works best on southern swells and can hold big waves depending on swell size.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, All tides — One source calls out low tide; another says it works at all tides with mid-tide often best.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Some sources describe sheltered/semi-sheltered conditions; a bay setup can reduce wind exposure compared with open coast.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northwest winds produce best conditions; light afternoon sea breezes can be handled reasonably well.
- Bigger Swell
- Can get very large on bigger south swells; may become sectiony or close out on very large sets depending on conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often described as good with crystal-clear water in the bay.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Sources also describe a mellow/soft expression at times; overall the spot is capable of more powerful conditions on the right swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Sources describe medium peel speed; another source describes slow peeling on the mellow side.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long rides are possible along the point on good south swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can peel for over 100 meters along the point on a good south swell; some accounts note rides breaking for up to about 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Punta Palmilla in the full forecast view.
Punta Palmilla wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- WSW237°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2810 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Punta Palmilla is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.1–2.0 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 at the point
- Shallow reef sections
- Sea urchins
- Rocks/reef over mixed bottom
- Occasional boat traffic from the nearby harbor
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are located in San José del Cabo, approximately 10-15 minutes away. Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Watch out for rocks at the point during low tide; respect the lineup as it is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. If entering water, check local conditions because the reef can be shallow on the inside.
- No motorized watercraft in the designated swimming and surfing zones.
- The early morning session is almost always the cleanest before the afternoon winds kick in.
- Check the tide; while it works at all tides, mid-tide often provides the best shape.
- Only works on bigger south swells.
- Be extra cautious around rocks at the point during low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cabo San Lucas
- Nearest Town
- San José del Cabo
- Nearest Airport
- Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
- Parking
- Public parking is available near the beach entrance, though it can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays.
- Public Transport
- ‘Ruta del Desierto’ bus service runs frequently along the Transpeninsular Highway through the corridor.
- Access
- Access is a bit tricky due to the bay being surrounded by resorts and condos; the spot is a few miles out of Cabo San Lucas. Another description says it’s easy via the Palmilla exit off the Transpeninsular Highway with paved road access to public beach parking.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Resorts and condos surround the bay; luxury accommodation is adjacent to the spot area.
- Food & Drink
- Beach clubs and restaurants are available at the Palmilla complex; restaurant is also listed among facilities.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard and SUP rentals are often available from local vendors on the beach or in San José del Cabo.
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 Punta Palmilla?
The best overall months at Punta Palmilla are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Punta Palmilla?
Punta Palmilla works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW, N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Punta Palmilla?
Recommended equipment sizes at Punta Palmilla: Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Punta Palmilla suitable for?
Punta Palmilla suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.