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.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)
31.462, -116.589
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Editor-reviewedCross-checked against WannaSurf
At a glance
- Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) is a a-frame over beach, fast hollow beach peaks with tube sections.
- Suits advanced surfers, working 3-12 ft.
- Peak September to March.
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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Character
Fast hollow beach peaks with tube sections.
Conditions
When it worksOptimum 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
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About this break
What it's actually like
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
Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) surf forecast
Loading forecast...
Forecast by Windy.app
Stay nearby
Camps within boat range
Browse all Mexico surf camps
No vetted camps within boat range of Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) yet.
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Plan a trip
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Frequently asked
What you need to know before paddling out at Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)
What skill level is Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) suited for?
Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) is a beach bottom, fast hollow beach peaks with tube sections, break suited for advanced surfers. This is not a beginner break. Build up at softer waves first.
What size does Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) work best at?
Working size is 3 to 12 ft. Below 3 ft the swell goes flat. Above 12 ft it tends to close out.
When is the best season to surf Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)?
Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) fires from September through March. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) need?
Lighthouse (Punta San Jose) switches on with swells out of the SW to NW (225 to 315 degrees).
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.
How crowded is Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)?
Lineup is mellow. Visiting surfers fit in fine if they wait their turn.
Sources
- WannaSurf
Lighthouse (Punta San Jose)
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