San Pedrito (Todos Santos)

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean, Swell, Big waves
Spot Type
Crowded
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Pedrito is a right-hand reef break near Todos Santos that’s known for powerful, often hollow surf when the swell is in the right direction. The setup is exposed, and performance depends heavily on having the correct West or Northwest swell angles to really light up the break. Water access and lineup conditions are challenging. The rocky reef and sea urchins make the walk-out and paddle difficult, and the shorebreak can be punishing on boards—especially when the surf is larger. Strong rip currents are reported as common, particularly on bigger swells, so self-sufficiency is essential. Wind can help when it’s offshore: East/Northeast winds are described as offshore and face-grooming for surfing, while Northwest winds can blow the wave out. Wind reliability for wind sports is described as low, and the conditions are more about picking the best light offshore mornings for surfing. Timing matters for both waves and crowd. Winter months are the main window (roughly November through March, with January highlighted in a surf guide), and crowding is often heavy during the season and holidays. Etiquette is also described as strictly enforced, so plan for a competitive lineup and bring protective footwear for the reef.

  • Powerful, consistent right-hand reef break with hollow walls in the right swell window
  • Offshore East/Northeast winds can groom the face; Northwest winds blow it out
  • Urchin/rock hazards and strong rips make protective footwear and self-rescue awareness critical
  • Winter season attracts competitive, often crowded lineups
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Consistent right-hand reef break with powerful, often hollow walls in the winter swell season
  • Offshore Northeast winds can groom the face when swell and timing align
  • Clean water conditions are reported
Heads up
  • Highly hazardous reef environment (sharp rocks/urchins) and strong rip currents
  • Heavy shorebreak and exposed conditions
  • Crowds can be often crowded and competitive
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NE, E
Offshore directions
NE
Wind Type
Gradient — Northeast wind; described in the region as northeasterly Santa Ana (north–northeast) pattern, with offshore/grooming flow for surfing in the right conditions.
Reliability
Low for wind sports; usually more about finding light offshore mornings for surfing rather than consistent high-performance wind.
Best Months
November, December, January, February, March
Shadow Zones
Cliffs to the north provide some protection from north winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean, Swell, Big waves
Beach
Mixed — Rocks/reef with sandy entry area that transitions quickly to reef.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Big — Reported small in one guide, but larger-swell behavior is described as very heavy and expert-only; working swell window is roughly 1.5–4 meters.
Launch
Medium — Sandy beach entry transitioning quickly to a rocky reef with heavy shorebreak.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Difficult launch due to quick transition to reef, rocky approach, and heavy shorebreak.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–28 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Nov–Mar: 3/2mm or 4/3mmApr–Oct: 2/1mm (and shorty/rash guard in late summer and fall)
Crowds by Season

High during winter months and holidays; mornings are particularly busy.

Storm/Rain Season

Late summer and early fall can bring occasional tropical storms or hurricanes; also described as August to October (also June to November).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A right-hand reef break known for long, powerful, and often hollow walls during the winter swell season. Best performance requires a West/Northwest swell.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
W, WNW, WSW
Swell Height
1.5–4 m
Optimal Tide
Mid
Shelter
Exposed — Open and exposed reef setup; heavy shorebreak is common.
Wind Effect
East/Northeast winds are offshore and groom the face; Northwest winds blow it out. Northeast wind direction is generally best for surfing conditions when it stays offshore.
Bigger Swell
Holds significant size and becomes very heavy; suitable only for experts on larger swells.
Wave Quality
Excellent
Wave Power
Powerful — Can become very powerful and hollow on the right swell; suitability depends strongly on the swell and takeoff conditions.
Wave Shape
Hollow
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Medium — Can offer rides between 100 and 200 meters on optimal swell days.
Typical Ride Length
100–200 m
Ride Length Details
Can offer rides between 100 and 200 meters on optimal swell days (typical reported ride about 150 meters).
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Pedrito (Todos Santos) in the full forecast view.

San Pedrito (Todos Santos) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–12 ktsGusts 17 kts
Direction
W280°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2412 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.9–1.5 m11s period
Temperature
23–32 °C

Over the next 7 days, San Pedrito (Todos Santos) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.9–1.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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
  • urchins
  • rips
  • heavy shorebreak
  • strong rip currents
  • submerged reef ledges
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards present.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Rescue availability is described as no for this spot.
Emergency Info
Nearest major medical facilities are in Todos Santos (about 15 minutes away). Emergency number: 911.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Crowds can be competitive; localism is described as present.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette is strictly enforced due to the competitive crowd.

Restrictions
  • not safe for swimming
Local Tips
  • Watch your exit carefully; the shorebreak can be punishing on boards.
  • Wear booties for extra protection when walking on urchin-heavy reef.
  • Early mornings usually offer the best wind conditions before the NW breeze kicks in.
  • The walk out and the paddle can be tricky due to rocks and sea urchins.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Todos Santos
Nearest Town
Pescadero
Parking
Parking right on the beach (also described as an unpaved parking area near the beach entrance).
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Near — Boutique hotels and vacation rentals are concentrated around Pescadero and Todos Santos town areas.
Food & Drink
Local restaurants and cafes are located in Pescadero (nearby).
Equipment Rental:
Equipment rental is described as available in Pescadero and Todos Santos; surfboard rentals widely available.
Gear Storage
Storage is described as limited and often restricted to guests staying at specific surf camps/specialized accommodations.
Gear Repair
Minor ding repairs can be found in Todos Santos; basic surfboard ding repair is described as available in Pescadero.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Todos Santos mixes desert-and-coast scenery with a strong creative culture and seasonal nature activities.

Hotel California5km

A historic and iconic hotel in the heart of Todos Santos often associated with the famous song.

Historia Colonial Baja California Sur0 km

Historia colonial de la región de Baja California Sur

Todos Santos Art Galleries5km

The town is a designated 'Pueblo Mágico' known for its numerous art galleries and local craft studios.

Whale Watching10km

Seasonal boat tours to see migrating Humpback and Gray whales along the coast.

Hierbabuena2km

A well-known farm-to-table restaurant located in the Pescadero valley.

Sea Turtle Release3km

Local conservation groups host sunset turtle releases on the beaches during hatching season.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at San Pedrito (Todos Santos)?

The best overall months at San Pedrito (Todos Santos) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at San Pedrito (Todos Santos)?

San Pedrito (Todos Santos) works with NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE.

What skill level is San Pedrito (Todos Santos) suitable for?

San Pedrito (Todos Santos) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.