A powerful right-hand point in Backwash Bay near Matapalo, Baja California Sur, this wave earns its crowd on the right day. SW to N swells in the 2-8ft range light it up best, with a mid-to-low tide window that sharpens the shape considerably. Offshore SE winds are essential for keeping it clean, and when those align with a solid groundswell the ride stretches out to 150-300m of walling, workable face. Intermediates are the core audience here, though stronger surfers will find enough power to push their surfing. The weekend lineup gets crowded, so an early paddle-out on weekdays is the smarter play. Bottom: point. Season: consistent year-round with peaks tied to SW and NW groundswells. Consistency: high. Bring a board that can handle a bit of punch and hold a rail through the longer walls.
Weekends bring a crowd. This is not a secret spot, and when conditions align, the lineup fills up. Weekday dawn patrol sessions are the best strategy for space. No specific localism concerns flagged in sources, but standard lineup etiquette and respect for those already surfing go a long way.
Access is via Backwash Bay near Matapalo. Free parking is available, and restrooms are on site. No water quality concerns reported. The bay setup provides some natural orientation for reading the break on arrival.
When Backwash isn't cooperating, Matapalo itself is the go-to nearby option with reportedly higher consistency. Work the area on a multi-day trip and let conditions dictate which peak you paddle into.
Forecast by Windy.app
