Urchins (Todos Santos Island)
Urchins is a big wave spot on Isla Todos Santos that sits between Chickens and Killers in terms of size and consequence. Named for the sea urchins that cover the reef, the wave offers serious big wave surfing in the 20-foot range. It's the stepping stone for surfers working their way up to Killers.
Urchins (Todos Santos Island) surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (285°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 300°
- Size range
- 2.4m - 6m
- Ideal size
- 4m - 5.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 17s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Boat from Ensenada. On Todos Santos Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
Urchins is a reef break in Isla Todos Santos, Mexico, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
Urchins 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 2.4m and handles up to about 6m, with the sweet spot around 4 to 5.1m. Period matters too: aim for 17s or longer, as anything under 14s 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 Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
An E wind is dead offshore at Urchins, 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 Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
Urchins is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
The most reliable run of swell at Urchins comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Winter NW swells. Step up from Chickens.
How cold is the water at Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
The water at Urchins averages around 16°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Urchins (Todos Santos Island) good for beginners?
No. At 9/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Named for sea urchins. Big wave spot.
How do I get to Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
The nearest airport on our list is TIJ, then it's roughly a one-hour drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $200 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat from Ensenada. On Todos Santos Island.
What other surf spots are near Urchins (Todos Santos Island)?
The closest breaks we track are Thor's Hammer (Todos Santos Island) (0.8 km), Chickens (Todos Santos Island) (1.2 km) and Killers (Isla Todos Santos) (1.2 km), handy when Urchins isn't working. We track 5 spots around Isla Todos Santos in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct, Apr
Winter NW swells. Step up from Chickens.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Thor's Hammer (Todos Santos Island)
⚡ Todos Santos heavy slab • Mythical power • Elite slabbers only
Chickens (Todos Santos Island)
🐔 Todos Santos step-up • More forgiving big wave • Killers warm-up spot
Killers (Isla Todos Santos)
⚡ West Coast big wave mecca • Giant winter waves • Boat access only
Rarely's (Todos Santos Island)
🌊 Todos Santos tier 2 • Named for its rarity • 40-foot alternative
San Miguel
🇲🇽 Birthplace of Mexican surf • Trestles-like rights • Winter NW swells
La Fonda (K-58)
🌊 Baja reef break • Multiple quality peaks • K-58 winter waves