Alfonsos is a reef break near Popotla, a few kilometers south of Rosarito, with both lefts and rights depending on swell angle. The lineup is studded with rock, so it suits surfers who can read where the reef sits on the inside and pick a clean channel out. Summer south swells are when it is most reliable.
Popotla water temperature today
Popotla, Baja California
Popotla water temperature today is 75°F. Is it cold? It's warm for most people, so plan on boardshorts.
Water temperature refreshed hourly from an observed station reading.
Popotla water temps swing dramatically with the seasons - from frigid winter surf requiring full hooded suits to warm summer sessions in trunks or a spring suit. This guide helps you gear up right for every month.
Warm enough for boardshorts or a bikini
7-Day Temperature Trend
Data from Alfonsos · Updated hourly
Beach Water Temperatures
Current water temperatures at each surf spot. Temperatures can vary based on local conditions, currents, and depth.
Surf spots in Popotla
Featured Beaches
6 spots
Alfonsos
AdvancedAlfonsos is a reef break near Popotla, a few kilometers south of Rosarito, with both lefts and rights depending on swell angle. The lineup is studded with rock, so it suits surfers who can read where the reef sits on the inside and pick a clean channel out. Summer south swells are when it is most reliable.
Calafia
AdvancedCalafia is the right-hand point below the Calafia hotel and restaurant on the cliffs south of Rosarito, and for many surfers it is the first stop on the drive down the free road. A solid south to southwest swell makes it work best, and it can handle the daily northwest wind better than the open beaches. The bottom is rock, the shorebreak can be awkward, and water quality is only fair.
El Morro Point (K37.5)
AdvancedEl Morro sits at kilometer 37.5, just north of the K-38 reef in the Popotla corridor. It is a rocky point that is easy to see from the road, which also means it fills up quickly when it is breaking. At low tide more rock is exposed and the wave gets less forgiving.
K-38
AdvancedK-38 takes its name from the kilometer marker on the road south of Rosarito, and it is one of the most consistent waves in northern Baja. A right breaks over a rocky reef and can link into a long wall on a good day, with a left also working on some swells. It picks up swell from the south through the northwest, so there is usually something to ride. Expect a crowd when it is good, rocks and urchins on the entry, and water quality that drops after rain.
Popotla
AdvancedPopotla is a small fishing village just south of Rosarito, known for its fresh seafood stalls on the sand. The reef in front of the village breaks on west swell and gets shallow and chunky at low tide, when the rocks become a bigger factor. It is an advanced reef, not a learn-to-surf beach.
Renes
IntermediateRenes is a beach break near Popotla, the fishing village just south of Rosarito. The sand is broken up by rocks along the shore, so the takeoff and paddle-out need a quick look before you go in. It picks up the same swell as the better-known reefs nearby and is often a quieter option when they are crowded.
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Spot guide for Popotla
Break types, ratings, and local tips for each beach.
Calafia is the right-hand point below the Calafia hotel and restaurant on the cliffs south of Rosarito, and for many surfers it is the first stop on the drive down the free road. A solid south to southwest swell makes it work best, and it can handle the daily northwest wind better than the open beaches. The bottom is rock, the shorebreak can be awkward, and water quality is only fair.
El Morro sits at kilometer 37.5, just north of the K-38 reef in the Popotla corridor. It is a rocky point that is easy to see from the road, which also means it fills up quickly when it is breaking. At low tide more rock is exposed and the wave gets less forgiving.
K-38 takes its name from the kilometer marker on the road south of Rosarito, and it is one of the most consistent waves in northern Baja. A right breaks over a rocky reef and can link into a long wall on a good day, with a left also working on some swells. It picks up swell from the south through the northwest, so there is usually something to ride. Expect a crowd when it is good, rocks and urchins on the entry, and water quality that drops after rain.
Popotla is a small fishing village just south of Rosarito, known for its fresh seafood stalls on the sand. The reef in front of the village breaks on west swell and gets shallow and chunky at low tide, when the rocks become a bigger factor. It is an advanced reef, not a learn-to-surf beach.
Renes is a beach break near Popotla, the fishing village just south of Rosarito. The sand is broken up by rocks along the shore, so the takeoff and paddle-out need a quick look before you go in. It picks up the same swell as the better-known reefs nearby and is often a quieter option when they are crowded.
What to know about water temperature
- Weekly temperature trends and seasonal averages
- Gear recommendations for dawn patrol versus midday
- Upwelling signals that drop temps overnight
- Health and recovery tips for long cold sessions
Surf Guides for Popotla
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in Popotla
- Popotla water is 75°F today, which is warm for most people, so most surfers wear boardshorts. Wind, air temperature, and session length change how cold it feels.
- Popotla water is 75°F today. Readings differ from beach to beach and through the day, so check the per-beach temperatures on this page before you go.
- Water temperatures in Popotla typically range from 55-70°F. A 3/2mm wetsuit works for summer, while 4/3mm is recommended for winter. Spring and fall may require a 4/3mm or 3/2mm depending on your cold tolerance.
- During peak summer months, water temperatures in Popotla can reach 68-72°F, making it possible to surf in board shorts or a spring suit. However, most surfers prefer at least a spring suit for longer sessions and early morning surfs.
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