Surfing Old Man's (Los Cabos): The Complete Guide

Old Man's (Los Cabos) is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Los Cabos, Mexico, offering both lefts and rights along Central America's Pacific-facing coastline. Old Man's is the go-to beginner spot at Costa Azul, offering mellow, forgiving waves perfect for learning to surf. Rated as beginner-friendly difficulty with crowded conditions, this beach break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SSW (200°), with workable conditions from S to SW (180°–220°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Old Man's (Los Cabos) needs a minimum of 0.6m / 2ft to start working and handles swells up to 1.5m / 5ft before conditions deteriorate. This is a spot that works best in smaller, cleaner swells.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 8 seconds, with 12 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the N (0°). The full offshore range spans NNW to NNE (330°–30°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Old Man's (Los Cabos) runs May, June, July, August, September, October (May–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens November, December, January, February, March, April (Nov–Apr). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Year-round beginner waves.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 25°C / 77°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is SJD, roughly 20 minutes by car.

Access: Costa Azul beach. Popular with surf schools.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded

Popular beginner spot. Can be crowded.

Safety Tips:

Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated beginner-friendly (2/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (7/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Old Man's (Los Cabos)? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Old Man's (Los Cabos) is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*