Surfing Urchins (Todos Santos Island): The Complete Guide

Urchins (Todos Santos Island) is a reef break located in Isla Todos Santos, Mexico, offering a right-hander along Central America's Pacific-facing coastline. Urchins is a big wave spot on Isla Todos Santos that sits between Chickens and Killers in terms of size and consequence. Rated as expert-level difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is WNW (285°), with workable conditions from W to WNW (270°–300°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Urchins (Todos Santos Island) needs a minimum of 2.4m / 8ft to start working and handles swells up to 6m / 20ft before conditions deteriorate. When it maxes out, expect powerful, heavy-water conditions.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 14 seconds, with 17 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans ENE to ESE (60°–120°). 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 mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Urchins (Todos Santos Island) runs November, December, January, February, March (Nov–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens October, April (Oct–Apr). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Winter NW swells. Step up from Chickens.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 16°C / 61°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is TIJ, roughly 60 minutes by car. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $200 USD. Factor this into your trip budget — it adds up over multiple sessions.

Access: Boat from Ensenada. On Todos Santos Island.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

😮‍💨 Hold-downs — Long hold-downs possible
🏝️ Remote — Far from help
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
🦔 Urchins — Sea urchins present

Named for sea urchins. Big wave spot.

Safety Tips:

Build your breath-hold confidence before tackling bigger days here
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away
Reef booties are essential. If stung, vinegar helps with urchin spines

Skill Level: This spot is rated expert-level (9/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (2/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Urchins (Todos Santos Island)? 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 Urchins (Todos Santos Island) is firing.

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