Punta Mazo & San Quintin

Just got back from a 4 day 3 night trek to Punta Mazo. Beautiful camping, plenty of whales and dolphins, sadly the surf was not too great as the wind would not let up and the swell was not big enough to produce anything of quality at the point. Circumventing the nooks and crannies of the point and checking out the volcano reefs is a must as it's absolutely beautiful. When we camped we did not feel like we were next to San Quintin's hustle bustle.
The point is remote, and in my opinion safe to camp. Will definitely be back to this area if there's ever a juicy S. Swell on the horizon. We drove South to El Soccorro for some mediocre surf before heading back to San Diego. Our heavily loaded tundra did just fine through the dunes and 7 mile beach drive out to the point, air down and if you're willing to bottom out your suspension a few times you'll make it just about anywhere.

Thanks for your report!

Is your 'Punta Mazo' the Cabo San Quintín on maps?

Quote: Originally posted by norte

I see Monte Mazo. Not to tough to figure out.

Quote: Originally posted by Isignay

Just got back from a 4 day 3 night trek to Punta Mazo. Beautiful camping, plenty of whales and dolphins, sadly the surf was not too great as the wind would not let up and the swell was not big enough to produce anything of quality at the point. Circumventing the nooks and crannies of the point and checking out the volcano reefs is a must as it's absolutely beautiful. When we camped we did not feel like we were next to San Quintin's hustle bustle. The point is remote, and in my opinion safe to camp. Will definitely be back to this area if there's ever a juicy S. Swell on the horizon. We drove South to El Soccorro for some mediocre surf before heading back to San Diego. Our heavily loaded tundra did just fine through the dunes and 7 mile beach drive out to the point, air down and if you're willing to bottom out your suspension a few times you'll make it just about anywhere.

Thank you for the report.
I thought it would be safe.
I think all the good secret surf spots are south of Punta Baja. There was a fly in surf camp down there somewhere. Maybe the runway is still there.
Lots of sharp points that might make waves.
I'm starting to fly trips soon.
Fly into my place and maybe I'll keep a Tundra or Tacoma for surf trips.
Or we can just fly to what ever part of baja has waves.
Or go fishing


[Edited on 4-7-2018 by fishbuck]

Yep, that's a tricky spot to get it good even when a S. swell is in the forecast.
Not saying that do discourage anyone from going there, it's just the way that place is.

Love that all these folks are getting about a spot they think they are locals at and want it kept secret.

Before anyone replies with some crap comment, let me stop you right there.

I have owned a house in Cielito Lindo for over 25yrs and have been surfing that spot and most all of Baja for way way longer. Having a home (If any decent waves are breaking there, I can see it from my balcony) that close and being able to launch my boat right out front or at the mouth of the bay (10min boat ride). So, I would guess that I've surfed out there more than anyone else on a consistent basis.

Have I seen 50 guys out when a swell is running? No...
I'll be lucky to see more than a handful at most & 99% of the time it's empty and I surf it by myself.
Did I see this group of guys out there, yes.
Did they see me, probably not since I did not come close enough to shore (it was a fishing day).

Over the years, I've encountered a few self described "locals" (all Americans) that at first are shocked that I show up via a boat, then they start asking me all sorts of questions and telling me not to give this "secret place up". I laugh and tell them, they are NOT locals, so don't go around acting as if they are. That's exactly the sort of chit that gets folks in trouble and it only shows your total lack of ignorance.

Has anyone of these "locals" gotten and tried to run me off from surfing there, unfortunately yes. Did that end well for them, No...
They were greeted a few hours later by a group of local fisherman that "Helped" them on their way into town and then were escorted out of town by the local police.

Do I consider myself a local of that area? No, why you may ask?
I was not born there and I don't own that particular area of land.

Are there local fishing boat guys taking surfer out there for the day or a few hours from the Old Mill? Yes, it's very seldom as they charge the same rates as a fishing day trip.

There are NO, Zero, Nada, secret surf spots in Baja! Just because YOU think you are the only one(s) surfing it, does not mean no one else knows about it.

Trust me when I tell you that I know way more Mexican surfers that laugh when they hear of secret surfing spots in Baja or in Mexico in general.

Fishbuck, The spot farther South with the landing strip is Solo Sports in Punta San Carlos. The landing strip is in great shape as planes fly in and out of there every Sat with guest. I'm headed down there to see Kevin (owner), Joey and the rest of crew for the next two weeks. If you are flying down, you'll clearly see the base camp on the side of the cliff and the number 28 painted on concrete at the beginning of the landing strip.

Right on bajakiter but I think you meant complete and total ignorance not lack of? You prolly know JK from down south who has been doing the kite thing in San Carlos for long long time?

Hi Chippy,

Yep, age will do that to you.
Name sounds very familiar, I would have to see him to know for sure.
PSC not only is great kiting spot, but surfing and world class mountain biking.

Funny thing is, none bats an eye about talking openly about San Carlos when the swell is on. Even though it's a in a location farther South and way more remote than San Quintin.

Quote: Originally posted by Bajakiter

Hi Chippy, Yep, age will do that to you. Name sounds very familiar, I would have to see him to know for sure. PSC not only is great kiting spot, but surfing and world class mountain biking. Funny thing is, none bats an eye about talking openly about San Carlos when the swell is on. Even though it's a in a location farther South and way more remote than San Quintin.

True dat. Back in the day (surf wise before windsurfering) It was great for surfing BUT after about 11 am those sideshores (perfect for windsurfing) would start howling and everyone was stuck in their van or whatever. It was a horrible place to camp. You where stuck inside your vehicle for most of the day and night.

JK is who showed Kevin that place

Beautiful place to camp. First went there in 1975. Never anyone around. Stopped going mid eighties when the Ejido at Short Beach built a fence and gate to regulate traffic on the beach. At that time came across some "self described" locals booby traps of 2 x 4's with 4" nails driven through them placed in the tire grooves of the sand road out near the point. The only secret spot in Baja is the one you happen to be at alone when everyone else is at another more popular secret spot

Quote: Originally posted by winddog

Beautiful place to camp. First went there in 1975. Never anyone around. Stopped going mid eighties when the Ejido at Short Beach built a fence and gate to regulate traffic on the beach. At that time came across some "self described" locals booby traps of 2 x 4's with 4" nails driven through them placed in the tire grooves of the sand road out near the point. The only secret spot in Baja is the one you happen to be at alone when everyone else is at another more popular secret spot

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo

Quote: Originally posted by winddog   Beautiful place to camp. First went there in 1975. Never anyone around. Stopped going mid eighties when the Ejido at Short Beach built a fence and gate to regulate traffic on the beach. At that time came across some "self described" locals booby traps of 2 x 4's with 4" nails driven through them placed in the tire grooves of the sand road out near the point. The only secret spot in Baja is the one you happen to be at alone when everyone else is at another more popular secret spot At Punta Mazo?

Quote: Originally posted by Udo

Exactly, Ron! I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that Punta Mazo was on point of the peninsula just South of your house and oyster farms. Additionally, isn't that point gated and pad-locked North of the point?

Quote: Originally posted by Udo

Interestingly enough DK! I am, however, inclined to follow Ron's assessment on the area. I remember the first time I drove to the point was during a Jeep run back in the mid-seventies. The second time I went there was with Jana in a Subaru Outback wagon. With lower air pressure and careful driving (I.E. previous experience in driving very loose soil), one can make it to the point. That particular drive also introduced Jana to the outhouse that was perched at the cliff's edge in La Chorera. I used to have photos of it, but sadly those and many other thousands were burned up in my house fire in the states.

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo

Quote: Originally posted by Udo   Interestingly enough DK! I am, however, inclined to follow Ron's assessment on the area. I remember the first time I drove to the point was during a Jeep run back in the mid-seventies. The second time I went there was with Jana in a Subaru Outback wagon. With lower air pressure and careful driving (I.E. previous experience in driving very loose soil), one can make it to the point. That particular drive also introduced Jana to the outhouse that was perched at the cliff's edge in La Chorera. I used to have photos of it, but sadly those and many other thousands were burned up in my house fire in the states. The location point on that google map link is the gate installed by Terra Peninsular in their attempt to gain control of the area. They don't have the land titles, just an ecological protection order but they are currently involved in a court fight with the land title owners and the latest news is that it is not going well for Terra in their injunction request Punta Mazo (Cabo San Quintin) is the southern point of the peninsular arm that creates the greater San Quintin Bay. That famous outdoor toilet here in La Chorera that was cemented onto some shoreline volcanic rock broke up and was washed away over a decade back in a huge swell. I had a photo at one time - let me see if I can find it on one of my photo drives...

I called it the point at San Quintin(Cabo San Quintin). The first fence in the early eighties could be gotten around by jumping off the gravel road just before Short Beach Fish Camp and going through the sand dunes. The spikes in the road were disappointing. The vibe I was escaping from at Swamis had arrived at the point.

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

I can't imagine that Terra Peninsular would allow anything like that now. They drive down there all the time now. The very thing they are trying to stop. The San Diego Natural History Museum ran an article about Tera and the rediscovering of the "extinct" San Quintin Kangaroo Rat. They have credibility both in Mexico and the US. I seriously have my doubts that the land will be taken back from them at this point. But Mexico is a land of wonders... natural and otherwise so "only God knows..."😎

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck   I can't imagine that Terra Peninsular would allow anything like that now. They drive down there all the time now. The very thing they are trying to stop. The San Diego Natural History Museum ran an article about Tera and the rediscovering of the "extinct" San Quintin Kangaroo Rat. They have credibility both in Mexico and the US. I seriously have my doubts that the land will be taken back from them at this point. But Mexico is a land of wonders... natural and otherwise so "only God knows..."😎 That ship has already sailed Mike. I agree with you that Terra Peninsular is doing a very good show of trying to make their claims appear legitimate with all the fencing, gates and such but the Supreme Court of Mexico had the final say back in 2015 When they awarded the land titles to the fishermen. Terra's only claim now is based on some precarious ecological protection orders that are hanging by a string now that they have no land titles to support them. But you are right - this is Mexico so anything could happen...

This is mexico, so it is likely tha greed will destroy the land.

Have the fishermen cashed in yet and sold to a developer?





So sad to see the land turned over to people that just care about a quick buck

Sad that mexico has so little public and protected land.

The usa’s greatest asset is its vast public lands open for public recreation,... hope trump and gop dont get their way and sell off the public lands

[Edited on 4-30-2018 by mtgoat666]

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck   I can't imagine that Terra Peninsular would allow anything like that now. They drive down there all the time now. The very thing they are trying to stop. The San Diego Natural History Museum ran an article about Tera and the rediscovering of the "extinct" San Quintin Kangaroo Rat. They have credibility both in Mexico and the US. I seriously have my doubts that the land will be taken back from them at this point. But Mexico is a land of wonders... natural and otherwise so "only God knows..."😎 That ship has already sailed Mike. I agree with you that Terra Peninsular is doing a very good show of trying to make their claims appear legitimate with all the fencing, gates and such but the Supreme Court of Mexico had the final say back in 2015 When they awarded the land titles to the fishermen. Terra's only claim now is based on some precarious ecological protection orders that are hanging by a string now that they have no land titles to support them. But you are right - this is Mexico so anything could happen...

Quote: Originally posted by Bajakiter

Yep, that's a tricky spot to get it good even when a S. swell is in the forecast. Not saying that do discourage anyone from going there, it's just the way that place is. Love that all these folks are getting about a spot they think they are locals at and want it kept secret. Before anyone replies with some crap comment, let me stop you right there. I have owned a house in Cielito Lindo for over 25yrs and have been surfing that spot and most all of Baja for way way longer. Having a home (If any decent waves are breaking there, I can see it from my balcony) that close and being able to launch my boat right out front or at the mouth of the bay (10min boat ride). So, I would guess that I've surfed out there more than anyone else on a consistent basis. Have I seen 50 guys out when a swell is running? No... I'll be lucky to see more than a handful at most & 99% of the time it's empty and I surf it by myself. Did I see this group of guys out there, yes. Did they see me, probably not since I did not come close enough to shore (it was a fishing day). Over the years, I've encountered a few self described "locals" (all Americans) that at first are shocked that I show up via a boat, then they start asking me all sorts of questions and telling me not to give this "secret place up". I laugh and tell them, they are NOT locals, so don't go around acting as if they are. That's exactly the sort of chit that gets folks in trouble and it only shows your total lack of ignorance. Has anyone of these "locals" gotten and tried to run me off from surfing there, unfortunately yes. Did that end well for them, No... They were greeted a few hours later by a group of local fisherman that "Helped" them on their way into town and then were escorted out of town by the local police. Do I consider myself a local of that area? No, why you may ask? I was not born there and I don't own that particular area of land. Are there local fishing boat guys taking surfer out there for the day or a few hours from the Old Mill? Yes, it's very seldom as they charge the same rates as a fishing day trip. There are NO, Zero, Nada, secret surf spots in Baja! Just because YOU think you are the only one(s) surfing it, does not mean no one else knows about it. Trust me when I tell you that I know way more Mexican surfers that laugh when they hear of secret surfing spots in Baja or in Mexico in general. Fishbuck, The spot farther South with the landing strip is Solo Sports in Punta San Carlos. The landing strip is in great shape as planes fly in and out of there every Sat with guest. I'm headed down there to see Kevin (owner), Joey and the rest of crew for the next two weeks. If you are flying down, you'll clearly see the base camp on the side of the cliff and the number 28 painted on concrete at the beginning of the landing strip.