Peru Surf Spots

Peru’s waves rarely grace the pages of popular surf magazines, and most Peruvian surfers couldn't care less –they know the score. Peru’s 1,400 hundred miles of desert coastline is dotted with lush green valleys and a mind-boggling amount of surf. Peru benefits from a wide-open Pacific swell window which welcomes swells from the north and the south. These swells routinely bomb her numerous points, reefs, and beach breaks, bringing quality surf from its border with Ecuador in the north down to its border with Chile.

Although Peru is loaded with quality waves breaking in both directions, goofy-foots win the top prize – long pin-wheeling, left point breaks. The best of these is Chicama. Gushingly put, Chicama is the longest wave on the planet and arguably the least crowded premier surf spot. Its remoteness and 2-mile-long, leg-burning rides keep the surf population small and spread out.

Not to be outdone by the quality breaks of Chicama, Pacasymayo and Mancora in the north, Peru’s central and southern regions also offer an enticing array of quality surf spots. On the central coast sits Lima, the capital of Peru, where you will find a cluster of good waves. Off Lima’s coast lays a challenging big wave reef, Pico Alto, and a host of tamer options for the rest of us. A short ride to the south to Punta Hermosa will place you among many quality spots. If you are interested in more remote surf, head farther south and you’ll find dozens of relatively uncrowded breaks.

Although not tropical, water temperatures are manageable in Peru. In the summer, which is the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures hover in the 60’s and 70’s, while the winter months drop into the 50’s. The water is warmer in the north than in the south, so plan accordingly. In the central and southern regions, fog and grey skies prevail courtesy of the Humboldt Current. The weather is temperate due to the current’s cooling influence on the desert climate, so expect cool water and a moderate climate with the desert landscape.

The best thing about the surf in Peru is that they always have it! The north, south and central regions of Peru receive swell twelve months a year, so you are guaranteed waves. Guides are recommended for first-time travelers due to the remoteness and sheer number of options available. These guys will put you on waves that match your skill level and interests, while ensuring you have the right equipment. With that in mind, if non-stop waves, friendly surfers, uncrowded lineups, and a little adventure are your idea of good surf trip – head to Peru.

Seasons in Peru

• Summer: December-March

• Autumn: March-June

• Winter: June-September

• Spring: September-December

Northern Peru Surf Spots

MancOra
Surf Location	Resort city of Mancora located around KM1164 on the North Pan-American Highway
Best Swell Direction	Northwest or Southwest
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	Anything out of the east
Best Surf Season	In the summer, look for solid south swells to light up this spot
Wave Quality	Nice, long, left-breaking waves in warm water. Very popular spot for backpackers and vacationing Ecuadorians.
The Surfers	Good local surfers - can get crowded on weekends and good swells
Boards	Short, fish or longboard
Paddle Out	Easy to difficult, depending on size of swell
Skill Level	Beginner to Expert
Bottom	Reef, rocky
Watch Out For…	Rocks and weekend crowds
Water Condition	Relatively clean

Cabo Blanco
Surf Location	The city of Cabo Blanco KM 1137 off of N. Pan-American Hwy down from the pier
Best Swell Direction	West, Northwest
Best Tide	Low to mid tide
Best Wind Direction	East
Best Surf Season	Spring and Winter
Wave Quality	Regional classic, quick left-breaking barrel with a long, fast wall; only recommended for experienced surfers. When it is breaking, expect Peru’s best in the lineup.
The Surfers	Good vibe from very good surfers. Show respect and patience and you’ll be fine.
Boards	Short board to semi-gun
Paddle Out	Depends on size of swell, but the wave is fairly close to shore
Skill Level	Expert
Bottom	Rocks and sand
Watch Out For…	Crowds, reef, and powerful surf
Water Condition	Clean

Pacasmayo (El Faro)
Surf Location	Located at Km 663 of the North Pan-American Hwy
Best Swell Direction	South, Southwest
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	North, Northeast
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	World-class wave, it has a long left point which picks up a ton of swell, fast
The Surfers	Not crowded during the week or the weekend
Boards	Rounded pin
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Intermediate
Bottom	Sand and rock
Watch Out For…
Water Condition	Clean

Punta Huanchaco
Surf Location	The beach is about 10 km NW of Trujillo
Best Swell Direction	South
Best Tide	Any
Best Wind Direction	North
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Known for its long left point, can have a point break, a little section-y
The Surfers	It can be crowded at times, especially on the weekends
Boards	Egg, longboard, shortboard and fish
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Good for any skill level
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Urchins and pollution
Water Condition	Clean

Chicama
Surf Location	In the city of La Libertad at KM 614
Best Swell Direction	Southwest
Best Tide	All tides work
Best Wind Direction	No wind, or East
Best Surf Season	Winter and spring
Wave Quality	One of the longest left point breaks in the world; world-class
The Surfers	Mellow vibe, the wave spreads out the crowd
Boards	Any board works
Paddle Out	Walk or ride back to the point or prepare to paddle for miles!
Skill Level	All skill levels welcome
Bottom	Sand
Watch Out For…	Leg cramps
Water Condition	Clean

Chicama, Peru - Surf Video

Lima and Southern Peru Surf Spots

Piedras Negras
Surf Location	Roughly 20 minutes south of the city of Ilo
Best Swell Direction	South, Southeast
Best Tide	Mid tide
Best Wind Direction	Glassy to northwest
Best Surf Season	Winter and Spring
Wave Quality	Excellent left-hand point break
The Surfers	Good vibe, uncrowded lineup
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Intermediate to Expert
Bottom	Rock reef
Watch Out For…	Rips and rocks
Water Condition	Clean

La Herradura
Surf Location	La Herradura is south of Lima. Follow the Circuito des Playas south past Barranco, past the Regatta Club. Parking is at the last beach.
Best Swell Direction	West, Southwest
Best Tide	Low tide
Best Wind Direction	East or Northeast
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Has a long left point break; the wave has three sections, all pretty fast and hollow; world-class wave
The Surfers	Can be very crowded, lots of locals
Boards	Rounded pin
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Best for advanced and experienced surfers
Bottom	Sandy with some rocks
Watch Out For…	Urchins
Water Condition	clean

Pico Alto
Surf Location	43 km south of Lima on the South Panamericana
Best Swell Direction	West, Southwest
Best Tide	Low tide
Best Wind Direction	East
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	This wave is shallow and fast with left- and right-running waves. It is also fairly consistent and reliable.
The Surfers	It gets very crowded on both weekdays and weekends
Boards	Gun
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Best for big wave riders or pros
Bottom	Urchin rocks
Watch Out For…	Urchins
Water Condition	Clean

La Isla
Surf Location	43 km on the South Panamericana in front of the Punta Hermosa Resort
Best Swell Direction	West, Southwest
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	East
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Very shallow but speedy, considered a regional classic, very consistent
The Surfers	Very crowded
Boards	Good for any boards
Paddle Out	Easy to moderate
Skill Level	Experienced
Bottom	Urchin-crusted rocks, flat rocks and sand
Watch Out For…	Urchins
Water Condition	Clean

Punta Rocas (Rocky Point)
Surf Location	Follow the sign "Punta Rocas" at Km 46 south of Lima on the Panamerican Highway. Take the lower track; this takes you to the beach parking.
Best Swell Direction	South, Southwest, West
Best Tide	Incoming
Best Wind Direction	East
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Punta Rocas is the site for many national championships. The wave is reef-rocky, goes both right and left, is very powerful and a lot of fun.
The Surfers	Crowded
Boards	Shortboard, mini-gun
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Intermediate
Bottom	Rocky
Watch Out For…	Rips, undertow and rocks; if you paddle in from the south side watch out for fixed fishing lines
Water Condition	Fairly clean

Cerro Azul
Surf Location	130 km south from Lima on the Panamerican Highway to the village of Cerro Azul
Best Swell Direction	Southwest
Best Tide	Low
Best Wind Direction	East or Northeast
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	Refined left-hand wave, has a good amount of swell with a good shape
The Surfers	Crowded on weekends but empty on weekdays
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Intermediate
Bottom	Sandy
Watch Out For…	Urchins
Water Condition	Clean

Penascal
Surf Location	From San Bartolo - Playa Norte, paddle out to the point break on the north side of the bay
Best Swell Direction	Northwest, West
Best Tide	Incoming
Best Wind Direction	South
Best Surf Season	Winter
Wave Quality	This is a point-break wave that goes both ways. It’s very fast, hollow, powerful and long.
The Surfers	Can be crowded on weekends but pretty empty on weekdays
Boards	Rounded pin
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Intermediate
Bottom	Rocky
Watch Out For…	Rocks
Water Condition	Clean