Tide conditions for San José del Cabo surf spots

San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur

Updated Refreshed hourly · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.

A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in San José del Cabo. These 6 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

1.4ft
Rising

Next High

11:00 PM

1.8 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

Today

9:00 AM (3.9ft)
11:00 PM (1.8ft)
3:00 AM (1.4ft)
5:00 PM (0.5ft)

Tomorrow

10:00 AM (3.6ft)
2:00 AM (1.6ft)
6:00 PM (0.9ft)

Sat, Oct 17

10:00 AM (3.2ft)
9:00 PM (1.0ft)

Sun, Oct 18

9:00 AM (2.8ft)
11:00 PM (0.8ft)

Mon, Oct 19

7:00 AM (2.7ft)
4:00 PM (2.6ft)
12:00 PM (2.3ft)
11:00 PM (0.6ft)

Tue, Oct 20

6:00 AM (3.0ft)
5:00 PM (3.0ft)
12:00 PM (1.8ft)

Wed, Oct 21

6:00 AM (3.2ft)
6:00 PM (3.3ft)
12:00 AM (0.4ft)
12:00 PM (1.2ft)

Beach Tide Preferences

Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.

Top spot recommendations

Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.

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Featured Beaches(6)

Acapulquito (Costa Azul)

Beginner friendly

Acapulquito, also called Old Man's, is the gentle right in front of the Cabo Surf Hotel at Costa Azul. It is the most beginner-friendly wave in the San José del Cabo area, with soft walls that suit longboards and learners. Lessons and rentals are available nearby.

Punta Palmilla

Advanced

Punta Palmilla is the right-hand point near the Palmilla resort on the Tourist Corridor, west of San José del Cabo. It is one of the more consistent spots in the area during south swell season.

San Jose Rivermouth

Advanced

The San José rivermouth is at the estuary on the east end of San José del Cabo's beach. It only breaks well when storms open the sand berm, and then it can be a powerful A-frame. Water quality near the estuary can be poor.

Shipwrecks (East Cape)

Advanced

Shipwrecks is a fast right-hand point on the East Cape road north of San José del Cabo, named for the wreck near the break. It is one of the most consistent spots on the East Cape during south swell season, from spring through autumn. The rides are long, and so is the paddle back.

The Rock (La Roca, Costa Azul)

Intermediate to expert

La Roca, or The Rock, is a punchy right along the beach from Zippers at Costa Azul. The lineup is full of boulders, so it is an expert wave. Mid to high tide is the safer window.

Zippers (Costa Azul)

Advanced

Zippers is the best-known wave in Los Cabos, a fast right over cobblestone and reef at Costa Azul, just west of San José del Cabo. It comes alive on summer south swell and gets crowded when it does. Rocks, urchins and a strong current are all part of the session.

What to focus on today

  • Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
  • How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
  • Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
  • Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in San José del Cabo

Tide preferences vary by spot in San José del Cabo. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.
Tides significantly impact surf conditions in San José del Cabo. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.
You can check tide charts for San José del Cabo on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.

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