What size does Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) work best at?

3–12 ft is the working range. Below that it goes flat; above, it stops being fun and the lineup thins out.

When is the best season to surf Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)?

Peak season runs through the months when the swell window aligns and trade winds blow offshore. See the month strip in Wave fit for the working window.

What type of wave is Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)?

Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) is a a-frame breaking wave over beach. Fast hollow beach peaks with tube sections.

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)

31.462, -116.589

Edited by Thomas Jackson

Verified May 2026

Editor-reviewedCross-checked against 1 reference

A-frame · BeachAdvanced3–12 ftJan – Dec

A punchy, hollow beach break at the tip of Punta San Jose, Baja California, where a strong current and exposed swell window keep the crowd thin. SW to NW swells in the 3-12ft range hit the sandbars and produce fast, powerful peaks with legitimate tube sections at size. Offshore winds from the E or NE clean things up, and the wave works across all tides though locals report high tide as the more consistent call for quality tubes. Experienced surfers only: the current runs hard, paddle-outs demand reading the rip, and bigger sets punish positioning errors. Bottom: sand. Season: fall through winter for the best swell window. Consistency: moderate to good when groundswell is running. Bring a step-up for anything overhead-plus, and be ready to walk back up the beach after a long drift on bigger days.

Wave fit

Skill suited

Advanced

BegIntAdv

Best months

Jan – Dec

Character

Fast hollow beach peaks with tube sections.

Conditions

When it works

Optimum tide

All tides

Trip planning

Quick facts

Wetsuit

Boardies to 2mm

What to bring

Shortboard 6ft to 6ft 4in for everyday surf
Step-up 6ft 8in to 7ft for overhead-plus days

Lineup

Mellow lineup

Where it sits

Location

Loading map...

About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd Access Nearby Alternatives

Crowd & Localism

Weekdays the lineup is effectively empty. A handful of surfers may appear on weekends but the spot never stacks up with crowds. Locals are described as friendly. Treat the place with respect and you'll be fine.

Access & Facilities

Park at one of the restaurants near the point. Water and basic food available there. No surf rentals expected at this level of remoteness. The current is the primary hazard: scout the rip from the beach before paddling out and have an exit plan for bigger swells.

Nearby Alternatives

Baja's coast in this stretch offers multiple reef and beach setups that pick up similar swell windows. If Lighthouse is maxed out or onshore, explore north or south along the coast for sheltered points that handle size with more shape.

10-day swell, wind and tide