San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito)

Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

San Antonio Del Mar is an exposed sand-bottom beach break on the Rosarito coast that breaks both ways (left and right). Surf performance is described as reliable in autumn and winter, with waves typically working from around waist-high up to overhead when the swell and tide line up. The spot is highly dependent on conditions: it’s reported as a heavy beach break that can get very hollow and fast, but it also has enough sensitivity that the wrong swell angle, swell size, or tide can lead to waves closing out. A mid tide is repeatedly recommended, while low tide is noted to close out too much. The best swell direction is described as coming from the west (including west-northwest). Wind is also key. East to east-northeast winds are described as best for grooming/offshore conditions, while other wind directions can add chop and reduce quality. The wind regime is reported as gradient-type and steady, with typical winds in the 10–20 knot range, though one set of details notes lower reliability. Access and safety are major considerations. The break sits inside a gated residential community, with restricted access for non-residents and limited parking; otherwise, public access can involve walking along the beach from the north or south. Hazards include rocks, strong rip currents (especially during larger swells), and heavy shorebreak. Water quality can worsen after heavy rainfall due to runoff and sewage impacts—avoid entering the water for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. Lifeguards are not indicated for the spot, and rescue availability is described as not available at the spot level.

  • Exposed beach break that works both left and right
  • Heavy/hollow performance when the swell angle and east-offshore wind match
  • Mid tide recommended; low tide can close out too much
  • Rocks and strong currents/rip risk; water quality can be poor after heavy rain
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Reliable exposed beach break in autumn/winter
  • Waves break both left and right
  • Can produce very hollow/fast performance when swell and wind match
  • Often not overcrowded during many periods
Heads up
  • Gated-community access can be tricky without resident access
  • Rock hazards and heavy shorebreak risk
  • Water quality can be poor after heavy rainfall due to runoff
  • Rip currents can be strong, especially on larger swells
  • Wind direction is sensitive; mismatch can create heavy chop or poor performance
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ENE, NE, ESE
Offshore directions
E, ENE, NE
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Noted as gradient-type wind for this spot.
Reliability
reliable
Gust Factor
Steady — Reported as steady gusting for this spot.
Best Months
January, February, March, April, October, November, December

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand beach.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Big — Surf is described as powerful/heavy and can run from waist-high to overhead; other details call the typical wave size medium.
Launch
Big — Wide sandy beach used for launching/entry.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch/entry difficulty described as moderate.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–21 °C
Water Temperature
14–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Apr: 4/3mm + BootsAug–Nov: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Can be busy on weekends and during good winter swells; other references describe it as rarely crowded.

Storm/Rain Season

December through March.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach break that works both ways (left and right). Conditions are heavy and not easy; requires the right swell angle/direction and tide to avoid closing out. Best between waist-high and overhead.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
W, WNW
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid tide recommended; low tide can cause the waves to close out too much.
Shelter
Exposed — Open/exposed beach setting.
Wind Effect
East wind provides offshore grooming; north and west winds can create heavy chop (wind-direction sensitivity).
Bigger Swell
Can become extremely heavy and difficult to paddle out; tends to close out if the swell is too large or too west.
Wave Quality
Good — Reliable surf in autumn/winter, with good quality when swell and wind match.
Wave Power
Moderate — Also described as powerful/heavy depending on swell size and match.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Can turn hollow/fast in the best conditions.
Peel Speed
Medium — Also described as fast in stronger/well-matched conditions.
Ride Length
Medium — Typically medium; fast and vertical with short-to-medium rides in heavier barrels.
Typical Ride Length
40–100 m
Ride Length Details
Can break up to about 100 meters over the sand bottom (reported), with typical rides varying from roughly 40–80 meters depending on day/conditions.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) in the full forecast view.

San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–9 ktsGusts 20 kts
Direction
WNW288°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 259 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.4 m10s period
Temperature
15–25 °C

Over the next 7 days, San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.8–1.4 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • strong rip currents especially during large swells
  • heavy shorebreak
  • water pollution and sewage runoff after rainfall
  • localism
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards present at this spot per provided details.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No rescue availability noted for the spot.
Emergency Info
Nearest hospitals are located in central Rosarito or Tijuana. Emergency number: 911.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Moderate localism noted.

Rules of the spot

Respect standard surfing etiquette and local residents/peak priority where applicable.

Restrictions
  • Gated residential community access is restricted to residents and guests.
Local Tips
  • Watch out for rocks.
  • Avoid entering the water for at least 72 hours after heavy rain due to significant pollution risks from runoff.
  • Access is easiest if you stay in the community or know a resident; otherwise expect a long walk from public access points.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Tijuana
Nearest Town
Rosarito
Nearest Airport
Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)
Parking
Limited parking near the entrance of the community; street parking outside and a walk from public points are often required.
Public Transport
Accessible via Calafias (local minibuses) and taxis along the Benito Juárez coastal highway.
Access
Access is through a gated residential community; public access is limited and may require walking along the beach from the north or south. Limited parking is available near the entrance for residents; visitors generally need street parking outside.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Extensive accommodation options around Rosarito, including gated-community vacation rentals and houses.
Food & Drink
Local restaurants and convenience stores are available along the main highway outside the gates.
Equipment Rental:
Surfboards and wetsuits are widely available for rent at shops in central Rosarito and near major breaks (region-wide).
Gear Storage
Limited/typically not available at the spot level; storage is more limited and may be through private clubs or select beachfront hotels (region-wide).
Gear Repair
Several specialized fiberglass and ding repair shops are available within Rosarito (region-wide).
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito)?

The best overall months at San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) are January, February, December, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito)?

San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) works with E, ENE, NE, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE.

What skill level is San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) suitable for?

San Antonio Del Mar (Rosarito) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.