Visit San Juanico (Scorpion Bay), Baja California Sur, Mexico

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Bahía San Juanico, also called Scorpion Bay, is arguably the most popular spot for surfing on the entire Baja peninsula. This small, remote fishing village on the Pacific has become a classic Baja surfing spot. While the roads out to Bahía San Juanico can be treacherous, for serious surfers it’s worth the hassle to get to the series of right point breaks with seemingly endless waves. What To Do: The main attraction here is definitely the surfing. In total, there are eight right point breaks in the area, although the first four are the most famous. The points break on south swells, which occur between March and November. On big days, a ride can last over a minute. This isn’t a commercialized tourist surfing spot—there are no surfing lessons for beginners or board rentals on the beach. This is a destination for serious surfers. It’s still a good spot for beginners on small days, but larger days are best reserved for the experienced. Where To Stay: The hub of social life for surfers and visitors to San Juanico is the Scorpion Bay Cantina and Campground. Most visitors tent camp here or there are sleeping palapas or an apartment or suite available to rent as well. Guests gather at The Cantina, a large palapa serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. For more high-end accommodations, Scorpion Bay Hotel (DBTC members receive a 15% discount) has a number of casitas and bunkhouses. Breakfast is included with your stay, and lunch and dinner are available upon request. How to Visit: There are three ways to drive into San Juanico and it’s a topic of discussion for all who visit. The South Road from Ciudad Insurgentes is now completely paved. This is the easiest, but longest route and optimal if you’re towing anything or do not have four-wheel drive. The East Road is a rough dirt road that is not used often and can be especially challenging if there have been recent hurricanes or rainstorms. If the road is passable, you will need to have four-wheel drive and spare tires with you. The North Road is currently the preferred off-road option. The route is 170 kilometers from San Ignacio. Insider Tip: While most of Baja Sur shuts down for the hot days of late summer, this is peak season for surfing. There are very few services here (no ATMS—make sure to bring pesos with you as you will need to pay cash nearly everywhere in San Juanico) and no reliable cell phone service. Check out Carla King’s article on exploring San Juanico for more tips.

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