Backwash

Backwash is a beach break with both left and right peaks located in the middle of Cabo San Lucas bay, west of Monuments. The sandy bottom allows waves to work across a range of tide levels. Due to the steep beach profile, waves tend to steepen dramatically as they approach shore, creating sections that require some skill to navigate. The spot generates long, slow-building waves ideal for longboarding when conditions align. May offers the most consistent rideable swell, though active swells typically arrive from the south and south-southeast with best results pairing these with northwest winds. Head-high or larger waves are required for the break to truly function; smaller swell leaves it flat or mushy. The return flow of water off the steep beach—particularly pronounced at high tide—can be forceful, making paddling back out challenging. Backwash rarely attracts crowds, making it a genuinely quiet alternative in a busy region.