Costa Azul Beach & Zippers: Surfing in San José del Cabo

San José del CaboSea of CortezNo swimming✓ Reviewed Oct 2026

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Can you swim here?No, the surf is dangerous

It’s not a good swimming beach. Heavy surf and the reef shelf make it risky, especially when there’s a swell.

Costa Azul Beach, at around Km 28.5 of the Transpeninsular Highway near San José del Cabo, is where Los Cabos surfers go when the waves are good. It’s home to well-known breaks such as Zippers and La Roca. The waves here are fast and the bottom is reef and rock in places, so this is a beach for experienced surfers, and for everyone else to watch them from the sand with something cold to drink.

📍AreaSan José del Cabo
🌊WaterSea of Cortez
🚫SwimmingNo, dangerous surf
🚗Getting thereHwy 1, Km 28.5
🚻FacilitiesParking, restrooms, shade palapas
🔵Blue FlagNot on the current list
⭐Best forSurfing, Views & sunsets
👥CrowdCrowded surf in summer

Waves breaking along Costa Azul Beach near San José del Cabo

📍 Open in Google Maps ↗

Can you swim at Costa Azul Beach?

It’s not a good swimming beach. Heavy surf and the reef shelf make it risky, especially when there’s a swell. If you’re learning to surf or want a calmer swim, walk or drive a few minutes southwest to Acapulquito.

How to get to Costa Azul Beach

The beach is reached from the Transpeninsular Highway (Highway 1) at around Km 28.5, by the arroyo road under the Costa Azul bridge. Zipper’s restaurant sits right on the sand.

Local tips before you go

1Don’t paddle out at Zippers unless you’re an experienced surfer; it’s fast, shallow and crowded in summer.
2Beginners will have a better time at Acapulquito next door.
3Zipper’s restaurant is a good spot to watch the surf.

Check the beach flag

Los Cabos beaches use colored flags: green means good conditions, yellow means caution, red means dangerous conditions and no swimming, and black means the beach is closed. Flags change with the weather, so look for them when you arrive.