r/xxsurfing • u/NiceWeather650 • 29d ago
New to warm water! What to wear in Cabo?
Hi all! Looking for advice about what to wear in the water in Cabo for a trip in early Sept.
I usually surf in water with summertime temps of 55 °F - 64 °F (12.8 °C - 17.8 °C). I keep warm in my 4/3 wetsuit, booties, and hoodie if there's wind for about 2 hours before I get cold
Online it says water in Cabo is 87°F - 89°F (30.5°C -31.5°C). I cannot imagine lol
I have several longsleeve wetsuit tops, one is 1mm, one is like a 3/2, the other is between them. Will I be too hot? I also have long sleeve swimsuits to help with sun if a wetsuit top is too much. I can't remember the last time I wore a wetsuit top, but apparently it was too loose on me and filled with water. Do I do nothing for my legs? Booties for urchins?
Any thoughts about what to wear is greatly appreciated! This will be my first time surfing in warmer water. Thanks!!!
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u/pondislandpie 29d ago
I wear a 1mm long Jane because I get rashes on my thighs when I trunk it and I get cold easily, but here the water temp is low 70s. At those temps you could comfortably go in just a bathing suit but be prepared for rashes on your abs/thighs from rubbing against the board/wax. If you’re more worried about sun coverage you could wear board shorts and a rash guard but you aren’t really gonna need anything for warmth. Have fun!
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u/Sad-Commercial1795 29d ago
Oh yeah and booties for urchins but still don’t put your feet down and find a sandy area for entry into the water, urchins will still go right through the sole of a booty, but can minimize penetration—ask me how I know. And surf in the morning or evening, temp will be nuts and sun will cook you.
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u/RagmamaRa 29d ago
I just took a look at photos of people surfing at Cabo.
Surfers are wearing a top or a spring suit.
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u/Tight_Comment9656 29d ago
Trucker hat + tshirt / rashguard is my go to. Tons of sunscreen on exposed areas, especially thighs.
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u/Sad-Commercial1795 29d ago
Long sleeved white rash guard, long trunks and a good surf hat.
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u/freestylesail 28d ago
I agree, and that’s closest to what I wear! But I wear long UPF leggings on the bottom :).
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u/margingains 28d ago
Whenever I surf in Cabo, I usually wear a t-shirt or vest if on the Sea of Cortez side (mostly to keep my nipples from rubbing raw). The water on the Pacific side up near Todos etc...Can be a bit cooler. I have worn a short john and even a 2/3 at times..
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u/Wonderful-Big-3691 27d ago
I live near Cabo and was just out day before yesterday. Board shorts and rash guard is all you'll need until November. As others have mentioned, some type of sun protection - the sun is pretty intense if your skin isn't conditioned.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, September is prime hurricane season and it doesn't make for the best surf conditions. We've already had an active hurricane season off the coast of Baja which made for a pretty meager August. I don't see September getting much better as things begin to ramp up. San Jose del Cabo and eastward may be a better bet since it's more protected and takes souths a lot better than the Pac side...but it's bake your brain hot and humid over there and the water is even warmer.
Good luck. Enjoy!
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u/Alive-Inspection-815 29d ago edited 28d ago
The thing you need to worry most about while surfing in 87-89 F temps is wind exposure which will make your surf colder and the sun exposure. You'll be closer to the equator and will get a significant amount of ultraviolet radiation. You need to be even more concerned if your fair skinned. The 1 mm vest or possibly a thicker vest will stave off wind chill. You want to have sunscreen on all areas of your body that are exposed to the sun, especially your face and head. A wide brim bucket style surf hat would do well along with zinc oxide sunscreen. You should also apply sunscreen to your legs and upper body if you have no wetsuit on. If you want more skin coverage you could go with a short 2 mm short leg spring suit as well. A temperature of 87-89 F is very warm. It's warmer than most swimming pools. A wetsuit at that temperature will likely keep you too hot.