Overview
Dunes is a beachbreak in Baja California that serves up both lefts and rights over a sand-covered reef. It won't win awards for quality most days, but when the sandbars line up with the right swell and wind, it can turn hollow and genuinely fun. The water is clean and the paddle out is light, which makes it an easy one to check.
When It Works
The bank draws swell from south-southeast through south to west-northwest (SSE-S-WNW), and southwest or west swells suit it best, including combo swells. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.1 m / 7 ft, roughly waist high up to a couple of feet overhead. Waves show up year round, but September through November is the window worth planning around.
Wind and Tide
Look for east-northeast (ENE) offshore wind to groom it, with a workable wind window running northeast to east-southeast (NE-ESE). Tide is rarely the deciding factor here since it breaks through low, mid, and high, though a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
Expect a quiet lineup, and one that can feel a little reserved when others are out. It's a good spot to learn on, and it holds up for intermediates and experienced surfers too. Just about anything works under your feet, from shortboards and fish through funboards and longboards to bodyboards, skimboards, or nothing at all.
Access
Getting down to the beach takes a bit of effort. Keep an eye on the rips once you're in the water.
