K-38
K-38 is a classic Baja beach break named for its kilometer marker on the toll road south of Tijuana. The spot delivers consistent peaks and occasional barrels when winter NW swells push through, making it a reliable option for surfers heading south of the border. Its accessibility and consistency have made it a popular destination for Southern California surfers looking for less crowded waves.
K-38 surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to TIJ, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Central America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Central America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full K-38 trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (285°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 300°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Easy highway access. Named for kilometer marker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is K-38?
K-38 is a beach break in Rosarito, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at K-38?
K-38 picks up swell from the W round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 15s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at K-38?
An E wind is dead offshore at K-38, and anything from the ENE round to the ESE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at K-38?
K-38 is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf K-38?
The most reliable run of swell at K-38 comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Winter NW swells. Consistent and accessible.
How cold is the water at K-38?
The water at K-38 averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is K-38 good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Can get crowded on good swells. Typical beach break hazards.
How do I get to K-38?
The nearest airport on our list is TIJ, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Easy highway access. Named for kilometer marker.
What other surf spots are near K-38?
The closest breaks we track are Rosarito Pier (2.4 km), Baja Malibu (13 km) and La Fonda (K-58) (38 km), handy when K-38 isn't working. We track 4 spots around Rosarito in total. Fun fact: it's the second most northerly break we track in Mexico.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct, Apr
Winter NW swells. Consistent and accessible.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Rosarito Pier
🏖️ Rosarito beach break • Pier-side peaks • Easy Baja access
Baja Malibu
🏄 Baja's Malibu • Mellow longboard right • Easy border crossing surf
La Fonda (K-58)
🌊 Baja reef break • Multiple quality peaks • K-58 winter waves
Windansea
🌴 Historic shack • La Jolla heart • Local crew
Black's Beach
🏔️ Scripps Canyon power • Cliff descent required • SoCal's heaviest
San Miguel
🇲🇽 Birthplace of Mexican surf • Trestles-like rights • Winter NW swells