Punta Lobos - Pangas Through the Surf

A stop on Todos Santos: Pueblo Magico Walk, a free self-guided tour.

This wide beach below a rocky headland is where Todos Santos fishermen go to sea. Early in the morning they push their pangas, open fiberglass boats, through the breaking waves, and in the afternoon they race back in, timing a wave to run the boat up onto the sand. If you are here when they land, you can watch the catch being unloaded and often buy fish right on the beach.

Like most of the Pacific coast here, this is not a swimming beach. The surf can be heavy and the currents strong, and the boats come and go at speed, so enjoy it from the sand. Beaches in Mexico are federal and open to all, but respect the fishermen's work area.

In winter, scan the horizon for spouts. Humpback whales pass this coast from about December to April, and on a good day you can see them breach offshore. A trail climbs the headland for wider views.

Getting here: From town, follow Highway 19 south and turn toward the beach on the signed dirt road, a few kilometers in all; drive, take a taxi or walk it early with plenty of water.

Did you know?: On the way here you cross the Tropic of Cancer, which runs just south of the plaza, so Punta Lobos is officially in the tropics while the plaza is not.

Photo op: Stand near the waterline in mid-afternoon and frame a panga riding a wave onto the beach with the headland behind.

Punta Lobos - Pangas Through the Surf

Stops on this tour