Surfing Peru
Surf is up and it is arguably, some of, if not the best left waves on the planet. With more than three-hundred different locations and wave breaks to surf, this 1500 miles - 2414 kilometers of coast line is loaded with lovely goofy-foot pacific lefts. A surfers paradise, and a fun and exciting culture to experience. Peruvians argue that their culture was the first to invent surfing, because generations of fisherman, have used reed boats or cabalitos del mar, check out the picture on the left.
We have videos of some of our adventures Surfing Peru in our Video Gallery .
This web site is a resource for you to plan your Peruvian Surf Adventure, Surfing is a do it yourself sport. Typically, we offer one to two months a year surfing in Peru, usually coupled with an entire three week country tour. These dates are usually pre-planned between October and March of every year. Go to our Hosted Trips to see a list of current trips for Peru in 2013 and dates offered,
Pictures courtesy of www.wannasurf.com. They did a good job of marking the breaks, and have a lot of knowledge and good information.
Here is some first hand knowledge of the surfing we have done in Peru. We have been blessed to Surf the following breaks in Peru, listed north to south. I am no expert, this is just the way I found the waves. Also, I have surfed most of the breaks for at least a year off and on….Ultimately, it’s my opinion, that you really don’t know conditions, until you arrive in Peru.
Punta Sal North and South – All Lefts, beach and rock break. I love the warm water at Punta Sal. It’s gorgeous, a true pleasure just paddling out. Not a long paddle out, it’s a beach/rock break, that breaks about one-hundred meters from shore. I never really caught a big swell here. Many of the waves were three footers and smaller. Obviously, timing the swell here can pay-off, but it is not well noted for epic waves. To the north, the wave breaks best just north of the town Zorritos. To the south, one will actually enter the town of Punta Sal, (very small) only a couple of places to stay, and the break is among some rocks in-shore.
Mancora – Nice Left, point break - is and has become a point for travelers around the world. Globetrotteradventures, used to own a house here, but we found the Mancora Pueblo to be too dirty, unorganized, and not as conducive to tourism as some of the other areas. Mancora is considered the, Las Vegas, of Peru, with little police control, and lots of partying and drugs. However, the wave in Mancora, while it can be crowded and extremely territiorial, is a great wave, a long consistent ride, and depending at what heigth can vary anywhere from three footers, to sixteen footers during a major swell. The area over the last ten years has boomed. The ladies world-cup competition has put Mancora on the world map, and local favorite Sofia Milanvich, represents Peru well. Peruvians flock to see her surf and compete. The competition is usually every November.
Organos – Left’s and a mess around right – just south of Mancora by about fifteen minutes, (depends on who is driving) is the little, super mellow and small town, of Organos. If you get tired of big, nasty, line-ups in Mancora, Organos is a nice escape, and the surfers in Organos are much nicer and friendlier. The wave is a left, that will tube at the correct swell. Although it is a little shorter, and quicker to catch, is still a lot of fun. Water temp, is still warm, but one can feel a little change and some wear spring suits here.
Cabo Blanco, Panic Point – Famous Left’s at the right swell. Prepared to be paniced at Panic Point. About a forty-five minute drive from Mancora. Made famous for the true and great story that Ernest Hemmingway owned a house here, and was motivated to write, “Old Man and the Sea”. It is sad looking across at now, all of the oil platforms that exist in the area. Hard to get to, the beach area is small and simple, the town is remote, and doesn’t offer much for tourism. The waves are very fast lefts, and Panic Point is deadly, as the take off is off a rocky point. I sit in on the wave and wait for it mostly closer to the inside and the beach.
Los Lobitos – This area to the north is probably the most talked about because of its consistency of waves. Mostly the waves are nice lefts, but one can find some short quick right’s too. There are several areas / breaks at Lobitos, further out, la piscina and several other names….can’t miss em, very easy to see from where you pull up to. Nice consistent waves, and at a bigger swell, will form nice hollow fast waves that do tube out. Lobitos is not a town, or even a rest area, it is really nothing more than a beach area, that has built up a locals reputation as a good surfing location. Last time I was there in 2008, there was a gazebo area for hanging a hammock and a barbeque area, and rumors of a hostel or two being built. This area was mostly a day trip area, as it is about one hour and fifteen minutes from Mancora, and most will argue that you need a four wheel drive, which is not always true, we did it in a hatch-back station wagon once, but the dirt road (which is beach sand) that you have to travel on for more than twenty minutes if it gets wet, can really be a tough muddy road if its been raining. I have heard, and have seen on the internet that there is now a hostel to stay in over there, maybe even more than one, but we cannot confirm that. I was surprised it wasn’t developed when I was there last, but I’m sure it has changed or will change. The most important thing about Lobitos is going with a taxi driver or a person that knows where exactly it is.
Pimintel – This is a beach break, made popular by the locals, and the weekenders that live in Chiclayo who visit frequently and some have nice apartments and condos that face the beach. Hotels/hosteles are limited, I believe there are three, and none very nice, or on the beach, but the town is small enough, that everything is walking distance. The waves are nice, but nothing spectacular, and a little unorganized in terms of a specific break close to town. They have a small little malecon, full of restaurants that will solicit your business as you walk by, but the restaurants aren’t particularly attractive. The beach is nice and somewhat clean, not a lot of tourists. It is full of cabellitos del mar (their small fishing boats), and it is very authentic.
Pacasmayo, El Farro – These breaks and this town we found to be good. The waves are consistent and have a nice break to them, especially at the right swell. El Farro, which as one stares at the pacific ocean from the malecon is very far to the left, has the biggest most consistent break off the point (look for the light tower). It also has one heck of a tidal current which runs left too, that you have to paddle through to catch the good wave. Again, much can be said for the Pacasmayo break during the better swells of the year. The part of town close to the water is short and small, but somewhat nice. The beach area in-front of the malecon is small, but also nice and kept fairly clean. It also appears to be a nice break and beach area to the right of the pier. There are several nicer places to stay within the town on the beach and a couple new lodges with cabins and more of an all inclusive sort of camp closer to the El Farro break. From town to the El Farro break it is about a ten minute drive on a dirt road. There are a lot of moto taxis around to run you over there.
Chicama, Puerto Malobrigo – It’s a beautiful wave at any level, and fun just to stare at. At the right swell, it is a dream, and one ride will be enough to satisfy. Everything you’ve heard about it is true; yes you can ride it for up to two minutes at the right swell. Even at low swell, a twenty-thirty second ride is not unheard of. The takeoff and the wave itself are a little fast and at smaller levels peel very close to the rocks. The town is tiny, with a couple of seasonal hotels, and several cheap hostels around. Not much to see or do nearby, except the surf and the beach. The beach area is big and nice near Puerto Malobrigo. Watch out for a few drift fishing nets that sometimes end up in the break. There was also a guy who was selling an all inclusive package which included your nights stay and rides up to the break via speedboat. He would wait for you at the end of the break and give you rides back and forth. This is a good idea because the walk from start to finish is long.
Huanchaco – Great big lefts, perfect for long boards. The waves are nice, and offer two areas of breaks: one for beginners and another more expert surfing area. On the expert side there is also a strong tidal current especially when the wave sets are big, so watch out, you can get slammed into the pier pretty easy. Probably the nicest surf town in the north of peru. Just, outside of Trujilo by ten minutes or a seven sole taxi ride, Huanchaco is easily accesible and nice. Plenty of places to stay, hostels right on the beach front. Surf schools, places to rent surf boards and a lot of tourist things to see including neighboring Chan Chan. The town is clean, mellow and a good locals crowd.
Costa Verde – Just below famous shopping mall, “Larco Mar”, in Miraflores Lima. This area offers mutliple surfing spots, with mostly beach breaks. There are a couple of areas that break off the jetty’s and piers, but nothing that peels for more than twenty seconds. Different swells offer both right and left wave opportunities. Easily accesible, and cleaner than it used to be, Costa Verde in Lima, offers a good tune-up after you buy a new board and before you get serious and travel to other wave breaks in Peru.
South of Lima / Punta Hermosa – As shown on the map, there are many breaks south of Lima. This water is usually much colder than the north and requires in some areas a 3/4 mm wet suit. During the colder months, you may chose a thicker suit. About one hour south is Playa Hermosa, and several nice straight ahead, left waves and also right waves to catch. Getting a taxi there from Lima was no problem, it was catching a ride home back to Lima that was tough.
Chile – This pacific coast is awesome too: sick waves, great competitions, cold cold water, start at Arica and drive south.
Click here to see our Peru Photo Gallery and video gallery of Surfing Peru.
To find out more about Peru Travel Adventures, email Jason & Nomi or use our handy Contact Us form. Fish On!
