Surfing in Baja CaliforniaPor Irma Guerra

Ensenada, the jewel of Baja California, holds in its waves a story of passion and adventure. In the mid-1960s, when the city had barely 200,000 inhabitants and its economy revolved around fishing, agriculture, and an emerging tourism industry, a group of young dreamers discovered that Mexico’s coastline had something even greater than its landscapes: perfect waves to surf. What began as a pastime soon became a movement that shaped surfing in Mexico.

Ignacio “Nacho” Félix, Carlos Hernández, and Walter Rudametkin were pioneers who, in 1965, founded the country’s first formal surf club. Their tournaments placed Baja California on the international map and drew surfers from Peru, Hawaii, and beyond. From this cultural exchange, the essence of Mexican surfing was born.

San Miguel quickly became the iconic beach thanks to its famous right-hand break, renowned worldwide for its consistency. But true thrill seekers venture offshore to the Todos Santos Islands, where towering waves—sometimes reaching up to 60 feet—challenge even the most seasoned surfers. Today, Ensenada proudly hosts the Baja Surf Club International, held every January and ranked as the third most important surf competition worldwide, after Australia and Hawaii.

For locals, beaches like Tres Emes and Stacks are sacred ground. Here, generation after generation, surfers carve not just waves but an identity—one that blends sport, culture, and lifestyle. Some have even become part of the legendary Windansea Surf Club representing Mexico. Surfing is now woven into the very soul of Ensenada. And if you’re planning a visit, don’t forget your wetsuit. No board? No problem. Local shops rent everything you need to experience the thrill of the waves.

As one of the founders once said: “Ensenada (San Miguel) gave us a place to dream, to prove that our waves could compete with the very best in the world.”