Surfing Rarely's (Todos Santos Island): The Complete Guide

Rarely's (Todos Santos Island) is a big wave spot located in Isla Todos Santos, Mexico, offering a right-hander along Central America's Pacific-facing coastline. Rarely's is a second-tier big wave spot on Isla Todos Santos that breaks less frequently than Killers but offers quality big wave surfing when conditions align. Rated as pros-only difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this big wave break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is WNW (300°), with workable conditions from W to NW (280°–320°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Rarely's (Todos Santos Island) needs a minimum of 4.5m / 15ft to start working and handles swells up to 12m / 39ft before conditions deteriorate. When it maxes out, expect powerful, heavy-water conditions.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 16 seconds, with 19 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the ESE (112°). The full offshore range spans E to SE (90°–135°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Rarely's (Todos Santos Island) runs December, January, February (Dec–Feb). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens November, March (Nov–Mar). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Peak winter. Needs XXL swell.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 15°C / 59°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is TIJ, roughly 60 minutes by car. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $200 USD. Factor this into your trip budget — it adds up over multiple sessions.

Access: Boat from Ensenada. On Todos Santos Island.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

😮‍💨 Hold-downs — Long hold-downs possible
🏝️ Remote — Far from help
🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup

Second tier big wave. Less consistent than Killers.

Safety Tips:

Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy
Build your breath-hold confidence before tackling bigger days here
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated pros-only (10/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Rarely's (Todos Santos Island)? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Rarely's (Todos Santos Island) is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*