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Spot: Baja Malibu, MX
The Wave
Classic, A-framing, barreling, spitting Pacific Ocean beachbreak. As good as that sort of wave gets.
Best Swell, Size and Direction
Baja Malibu isn’t shadowed by any offshore islands, and although it’s maybe half an hour from the California border, it feels like a different place, with its own set of rules. Summers are cold along here, maybe because this beach is so open to the northwest winds that strafe the rest of the west coast, and this beach is a catcher’s mitt for upwellings.
The waves have power because of offshore canyons, and that’s also why the water can be in the 50s, while guys at Trestles are trunking it.
The world doesn’t change enough in Mexico to negate fall, which is as nice on this side of the border as it is on the American side. Fall will cross up fresh winter energy with lingering summer energy, and crossed up swells are what beachbreaks like best. In the fall, the screeching onshores go away, the offshore winds start, and it can turn into Spitter wonderland.
Winter is the most active time, but winter brings rain and rain brings the poo. When Todos Santos is 30 feet you can imagine that the beachbreaks don’t hold the leftovers too well, although there are guys who are tow surfing Baja Malibu when it’s giant.
Spring brings consistent southern hemisphere swells, but also a ton of wind so you pays your money and you takes your chances.
Which brings us back to summer, which is the most crowded and popular time, but not necessarily the best time. Too many bloody tourists.
Surrounding Spots
Most of the surf spots are to the south and they are, in order: The beachbreaks of Rosarito, the point/reef at Calafia, the beachbreaks of K-38 and the beachbreaks of La Fonda. Farther south, San Miguel is the place that really should be called Baja Malibu, because it’s a right point. And then you’re into Ensenada, which is the jump-off point for Todos Santos, and all the bad craziness.
Difficulty Level
Not a beginner’s spot, except for the smallest days. Baja Malibu is one of the more challenging beachbreaks on the west coast of North America, so bring your skills.
Localism Factor
Well if you count the carjacking banditos as locals then it’s high. Surfing-wise, there is a bit of a local vibe here: Americans who have been surfing Baja Malibu/Spitters for decades, and local Mexican surfers who feel the weight of the US pressing down on them, and don’t take kindly to Americans disrespecting them on their own turf. So behave yourself, or face consequences you don’t want to imagine.
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