San Hipolito (Baja Sur)
- Longboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
San Hipolito is an exposed beach and reef surf spot in Baja Sur with fairly consistent surf. The coastline offers long rides with a mix of lefts and rights, and the rocky headland/point element can produce long, right-hand point-break style waves. The best swell alignment described for surfing is from the south-southwest range, with additional mentions of south, southwest, and west groundswells. A workable swell window is given as about 1.0–2.5 meters, and mid tide conditions are specifically noted as favorable. When swell direction and tide align, waves are described as peeling for long distances. Wind conditions are described as offshore/easterly (NE/E/SE) being helpful, while northwest winds can be onshore or otherwise less favorable. Multiple sources emphasize afternoon wind effects, and overall conditions are described as low-profile and uncrowded given the remote access. Safety planning is essential: rips/strong currents can occur, and exposed rocks and sharks are specifically listed hazards. There are no lifeguards and no formal rescue availability; access and services are limited, so riders should carry all necessary supplies (including water and fuel) and use appropriate transport to reach the beach.
- Exposed beach-and-reef setup with consistent surf
- Long rides with lefts and rights
- Offshore/easterly wind windows can help in the afternoon
- Remote, low-profile destination
- Fairly consistent surf with long rights and lefts.
- Low-profile/uncrowded due to remote location.
- Offshore/easterly wind windows can improve surf quality in the afternoon under the described setups.
- Remote access with limited/no services; be fully self-sufficient.
- Dangerous hazards include rocks, sharks, and rip currents/strong currents.
- Surf setup is exposed, and paddling out can become difficult on very large waves.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE
- Offshore directions
- NE, E, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Sources describe offshore/easterly winds at times and NW prevailing winds; the wind setup is described as gradient/thermal-driven.
- Reliability
- Moderate (prevailing winds can also blow out the surf in the afternoons).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Point/headland can provide some protection from NW winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach context is given; another source notes mixed composition.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with rocky areas near the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch/access described as moderate difficulty.
Through the year
Generally low crowd levels due to remote location; more visitors possible during peak summer swell events.
Tropical storm season typically runs from August to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and reef setup with fairly consistent surf, offering long rides and both lefts and rights. A rocky headland/point element is noted, producing a long right-hand point break in addition to reef and beach breaks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — A mid tide is specifically mentioned for best surfing.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach and reef break.
- Wind Effect
- East or Northeast winds are described as offshore; Northwest is onshore/sideshore. Afternoon winds can be offshore in the local setups described, helping surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well, but paddling out can become difficult when waves get very large.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Consistent surf is emphasized; quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rights and lefts are described; waves can peel for several hundred meters when swell and tide align.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long rights and lefts; can peel for several hundred meters when swell direction and tide align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Hipolito (Baja Sur) in the full forecast view.
San Hipolito (Baja Sur) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–16 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NW308°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 17–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, San Hipolito (Baja Sur) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.9–1.6 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Sharks
- Rips/currents
- Exposed rocks (especially at lower tides and near the point)
- Strong currents/longshore drift (rip currents possible depending on swell size)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability noted (no formal rescue services).
- Emergency Info
- No formal beach-side rescue services or lifeguards are present; nearest medical facilities are in Bahia Asuncion or Guerrero Negro (and in the broader region, San Ignacio is noted as the nearest medical clinic). Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Sources describe mild localism and a small local community.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the remote local community.
- Take care of rips, sharks and rocks.
- Bring a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle because access roads are often rough dirt and sand.
- Carry all necessary supplies (water and fuel included) because services are extremely limited.
- Spring wetsuit though a summer suit or even a shorty may suffice for a short session in late summer.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Guerrero Negro
- Nearest Town
- San Hipolito
- Nearest Airport
- Loreto International Airport (LTO)
- Parking
- Primitive beach parking.
- Public Transport
- Non-existent; a private high-clearance vehicle or 4x4 is essential for accessing this remote stretch of coastline.
- Access
- Accessible via a long dirt road off Highway 1; high clearance is recommended (primitive beach parking).
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Primitive camping on the beach or basic rentals in nearby fishing villages are described.
- Food & Drink
- Very limited options in the local fishing village; bring your own supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rental shops nearby.
- Gear Storage
- None available.
- Gear Repair
- None mentioned nearby.
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 San Hipolito (Baja Sur)?
The best overall months at San Hipolito (Baja Sur) are August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at San Hipolito (Baja Sur)?
San Hipolito (Baja Sur) works with NE, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are NE, E, SE.
What skill level is San Hipolito (Baja Sur) suitable for?
San Hipolito (Baja Sur) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.