Nine Palms is a right-hand point break on the East Cape, and it's the wave we send most of our surfers to. Nine Palms is right down the road. From our cottages on Camino Cabo Este it's about a ten-minute drive, which means you can check the water over coffee and still be in the lineup before the wind picks up.
Here's what we tell people before they go.
What kind of wave is Nine Palms?
Nine Palms is a right-hand point: the wave wraps around the point and peels to the right, so you get long rides rather than a quick drop and a closeout. It's a good wave for longboards. Intermediates will have the most fun here, and it works for confident beginners going out with an instructor.
It isn't a heavy wave, and that's why people come back to it. You'll see a lot of single fins and logs in the water. If you're bringing one board, bring the long one.
Locals call it Nueve Palmas. If you're reading a forecast site, look for either name.
When is the best season to surf Nine Palms?
June to August is the best stretch for Nine Palms. Summer swells arrive from the south and southwest, and this part of the coast is set up to catch them. That's also when it's hottest here: May to October usually runs 80-95°F (27-35°C).
Outside summer the point is less consistent. November to April is cooler and drier, 70-85°F (21-29°C), and some days the wave just won't be there. If surf is the main reason for your trip, plan for summer. If it's one part of a quieter week, come any time and check the forecast with us when you arrive.
How far is Nine Palms from us?
Nine Palms is about a ten-minute drive from our place. A rental car gives you the most freedom to chase the tide, since you can go when it's working and leave when it isn't. You don't strictly need one, though. Our concierge can sort out the ride, and lessons meet at 9 Palms Beach.
La Fortuna, another break on the same stretch of coast, is also within reach. It's worth a look on days when Nine Palms is crowded or a different swell angle favours it.
If you're flying in, Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is about 1 hour 15 minutes from us. We can arrange the transfer.
Surf lessons at Nine Palms: what they cost
We book lessons with local instructors we trust. They know this water well. Every lesson depends on ocean conditions and instructor availability, so book at least 48 hours ahead and let us know your level.
| Lesson | Who it's for | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private, beginner | 1 guest | 60-90 min | $3,094 MXN |
| Private, beginner to intermediate | 2 guests | 60-90 min | $3,740 MXN |
| Private, intermediate to advanced | 2 guests | 60-90 min | $4,284 MXN |
| Group surf day | 3 guests, all levels | 5 hours | $9,529 MXN (+$2,800 MXN per extra guest) |
Private lessons meet at 9 Palms Beach. The instructor brings the board, rash guard and wetsuit, gives you a safety briefing, and you get a drink and a snack plus a beach chair and umbrella for when you're out of the water.
The group surf day is the one we'd pick if you already surf. It's a full day with local guides, starting at 9 Palms Beach and taking in some lesser-known spots along the coast. Bring a swimsuit, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen.
Lessons run daily. Experiences are priced in Mexican pesos, and room rates are in US dollars.
Bringing your own board
Yes, bring it. We're a surf-friendly place, and boards, sand and salt water are part of the deal here. Tell us when you book and we'll help you plan around the swell.
After the session
Most of our surfers come back, rinse off and do very little. The main pool looks out over the Sea of Cortez. If you're in the Private Cottage Suite, you've got your own plunge pool on the deck and a rooftop with a sun bed.
For sore shoulders, we can set up a temazcal for you during your stay. It's a traditional steam lodge on the property, and the guided ceremony takes 1.5 hours. Later, dinner is farm-to-table, with a mezcal pairing if you'd like one. Stargazing by the firepit on the central deck runs daily from 6:30 to 7:00 pm, and we bring the telescope out.
It's quiet here. That's the point. You get up early for the surf, and the rest of the day stays slow.
If you want a longer read first, SURFER wrote up an East Cape surf trip from our place in December 2025.
Good to know
- Age: we welcome guests 16 and older, and the same goes for surf lessons.
- Minimum stay: two nights from November through April. There's no minimum the rest of the year.
- Getting around: we have two bicycles for guests to use, and a guided e-bike ride heads along the coast toward Nine Palms.