One of the longest right-hand point breaks on the planet, Scorpion Bay (San Juanico) lines up across up to seven numbered points inside a deep bay on Baja California Sur's Pacific coast, producing rides that can link to 2km on a big enough S swell. Optimal conditions call for S to SW swell at 3-10ft, low to mid tide, and a NW offshore wind that provides increasing protection at Points 1-3 deeper inside the bay. Intermediate surfers can handle the mellower inside sections, advanced surfers chase the exposed outer points near Punta Pequeña where size stacks up. Bottom: cobblestone and reef. Season: May through October for S swell, though consistency is genuinely low with long flat spells the norm. Bring a high-clearance 4WD, rations, and patience because the 800-plus-mile drive from the US border takes 14 hours minimum, services are zero on arrival, and the camping is on lava rock with rationed water.
Summer months draw serious overcrowding with camping areas pushed past capacity and reported altercations in the water. Expat residents in the area are not always welcoming. Dawn sessions on the outer points spread the crowd. Shoulder season visits in May or October trade crowd pressure for longer flat spells but offer a far better experience in the lineup.
The drive from Tijuana runs 800-plus miles, roughly 14 hours on paved road, followed by 100-300 miles of rugged off-road desert track depending on which route you take. No accommodations exist. Camping is on a lava bluff with cold showers, rationed water, and a fee that has climbed over the years. Bring all food, fuel, and first aid. Urchins on the reef are the main in-water hazard.
When Scorpion Bay is flat or blown out, Punta Rosarito to the north earns its nickname The Wall for sheer consistency on S and SW swells, though wind management is trickier. Punta Santa Rosalillita fires on large W swells and offers a legitimate step-up option when the outer Scorpion Bay points are maxing out.
Forecast by Windy.app
