Old Man's (Los Cabos)
Old Man's is the go-to beginner spot at Costa Azul, offering mellow, forgiving waves perfect for learning to surf. The gentle break and sandy bottom make it safe for first-timers, and numerous surf schools operate here. It's the soft introduction to Cabo surfing before tackling more challenging spots.
Old Man's (Los Cabos) surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 1.5m
- Ideal size
- 1m - 1.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 330° - 30°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
2/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Costa Azul beach. Popular with surf schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
Old Man's is a beach break in Los Cabos, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
Old Man's picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 1.5m, with the sweet spot around 1 to 1.3m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
A N wind is dead offshore at Old Man's, and anything from the NNW round to the NNE 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 Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
Old Man's isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
The most reliable run of swell at Old Man's comes May to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Apr too. Year-round beginner waves.
How cold is the water at Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
The water at Old Man's averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Old Man's (Los Cabos) good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 2/10 for difficulty. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Popular beginner spot. Can be crowded.
How do I get to Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
The nearest airport on our list is SJD, then it's roughly a 20-minute drive. Costa Azul beach. Popular with surf schools.
What other surf spots are near Old Man's (Los Cabos)?
The closest breaks we track are Zippers (Los Cabos) (1.7 km), Costa Azul (The Rock) (3.9 km) and Shipwrecks (East Cape) (24 km), handy when Old Man's isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: May-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Year-round beginner waves.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Zippers (Los Cabos)
🏖️ Los Cabos flagship wave • Powerful beach break • Tourist-accessible quality
Costa Azul (The Rock)
⚡ Los Cabos power reef • Expert only • Hollow serious waves
Shipwrecks (East Cape)
🌀 East Cape hurricane spot • Powerful reef right • Summer swell specialist
Nine Palms
🌴 East Cape reef • Summer hurricane swells • Remote Baja perfection
Cerritos
🏄♂️ Baja's learning beach • Consistent forgiving waves • Surf school central
San Pedrito
🎨 Todos Santos gem • Beach break with reef • Artistic Baja vibes