Windance | West Coast Guide

Baja: Pacific Coast
Related Links: Baja Overview, Baja East Cape, Baja Reports
Sailing Sites: Punta Abreojos, Punta San Carlos

The pacific coastline of Baja is rugged, beautiful and secluded. Access is a big part of why it remains that way. It requires an additional level of commitment to get to the water at many of the good spots along the coast.

“Dirt” roads of 40 miles to the coast are commonplace, and are not the same as dirt roads in the US.   The “dirt” roads in Baja can consist of earth, clay, sand, stone, mud, standing water, tire shredding cactus, half mile sections of deep ruts of and some of the worst washboard imaginable, and probably a combination of all. That said, it seems as though everyone makes it to the beach somehow and many are not driving big 4x4’s. Often there are multiple routes to the same destination. This is because as one route becomes impassible another is made along side the old one. This means that apart from “intersections”, most roads will parallel each other and end up in the same place. They are graded often during the high points of the fishing season and during these times they are in pretty good shape with passenger cars navigating them without too many problems.

And what places those roads lead to. There are so many places to go on the pacific side that choosing one can be tough. If you have a month or so you’ll be able to visit the best of them. Northern Baja receives swells from anywhere in the pacific, though some of the breaks face south so north swells need to be quite big if they are going to make it to the beach. Southern Baja works best on South swells, and looking at a map shows why: it is tucked under the United States and bends eastward along its entire length. Long period South swells set up along most of the coastline at beach and reef breaks for unreal surfing and wave sailing.

Northern Baja tends to be windier and colder than the south, which is close to or below the Tropic of Cancer. Many of the spots that are good for surfing are also great wave sailing venues, and there is a tremendous amount of information compiled by the surfing community on where to go and when for the best waves. The coastline is extremely rugged, and there is often only one road in and out of each location making driving between different breaks along the coast difficult. It is often necessary to backtrack out to Mexico One, turn North or South and travel until you reach the next road then head back out to the coast.

There is lots of room for everyone on the Pacific side of Baja. There is the very popular Punta San Carlos, which has conditions more consistent than anywhere else on the coast. Its proximity to the US border (1 hard days drive from San Diego) and friendly wave has made it a legendary spot. Further south are the points know as “The Seven Sisters”, Punta Abreojos, Punta Anejo, and the world famous surfing break of Scorpion Bay. These are just a few of the options. Most every point has at least a fishermens camp with a few rudimentary supplies, and some puntas have self-sufficient towns with everything you need. Research your destination before you go to be sure you have adequate supplies as some of great waves lie simply at the end of a road.

Windance 108 Hwy. 35, Hood River, OR 97031
800: 1-800-574-4020
Direct: 541-386-2131

Email Us