Surfing 101: How to Learn to Surf on Your Next Cabo Vacation

Cabo has two coasts, and they take turns. The Pacific side gets its best waves in the winter. The Sea of Cortez side, the Corridor and the East Cape, lights up in the summer. That is why you can learn to surf here in any month, as long as you pick the right beach for the season. Here is how we would set up a first surf trip.

Where beginners learn

Our answer for a first wave is Cerritos Beach on the Pacific side. It is a drive from Cabo San Lucas, but the bottom is sand, the waves are consistent, and the crowd is friendly to people who are still standing up sideways. It is where we would send anyone for a first lesson. When you are done, the fish tacos from the vendors on the beach are the reward. Order two.

The breaks to grow into

Once you can catch a green wave on your own, the Corridor has reef breaks that are a step up. Zippers is the famous one, and it works best on summer south swells. Shipwrecks on the East Cape is another summer wave. Monuments is an advanced break and not a place to learn. Treat all of the reef breaks with respect: rocks, current and locals who know every inch of them.

When to come

For a beginner, November through April is the easy call. Northern and western swells hit the Pacific side, Cerritos is consistent, and the mornings are calm. From May through October, southern swells feed the Corridor and East Cape, the water is warmer, and experienced surfers get their best days. That stretch is also hurricane season, so conditions can go from flat to serious in a day. Check the forecast every morning, and if it looks big, it is.

A winter bonus: whale season runs December through April, and you will often see them from the lineup.

What a first lesson looks like

A beginner lesson is simple and it works. You start on the sand with a soft-top board, learning to lie in the right spot and pop up to your feet in one move. Then you go into the whitewater with an instructor who pushes you into waves and tells you when to stand. Most people ride their first wave, on their knees or on their feet, in the first hour. The second session is where it clicks. Book two lessons, not one.

Lessons are priced per person, and board rentals are priced per day. Ask the school what the price includes: board, rash guard, and the walk-through on the beach. If you are a group, ask about a group rate.

Lineup etiquette

• Wait your turn. The surfer closest to the peak has the wave.
• Do not drop in. If someone is already up and riding toward you, pull back.
• Say hello. A quick hola and a smile in the lineup goes a long way here.
• Stay in the beginner zone. Learn in the whitewater, not in the middle of the pack.

Before you go

• Surf early. Mornings are less crowded and the wind is usually down, especially in peak season.
• Sun protection matters more than a wetsuit. A rash guard, zinc on your face and a hat for the walk back.
• In winter the Pacific water is cooler. A light wetsuit top makes a long lesson more comfortable. In summer most people surf in a rash guard.
• Bring water, cash for tacos and tips, and a towel for the drive home.
• Do not be afraid to look beyond the famous spots. Some of the best days are at the beach nobody posted about.

Winter on the Pacific side for your first wave, summer on the Corridor once you have a few. Book two lessons and let the second one do the work. See more of what we do on the water on our adventures in Cabo page.