Claire Dean
Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!
Top Surfing Destinations in Peru
Written by:Claire Dean
Published: 2022-11-02
Peru has over 2000 km of coastline, where the surf breaks year-round, and all types of waves can be found. The points, reefs, and beach breaks receive their swells from storms in the South Pacific and significant storms in the North Pacific. Peru has a vast swell window, and it can receive swells from the South, Southwest, West, and Northwest, making Peru one of the best countries in the world to score some epic surf. While some crowded ocean regions, especially in Lima and Mancora, have so much coastline, you're bound to find some empty line-ups. Read on for some of the top surfing destinations in Peru.
Surf School
The North Coast of Peru
The north coast of Peru has warmer waters and enjoys all-year-round sunshine. The best time for waves is during the summer, from October to March, when Peru attracts more northerly swells that bring along warmer water. Tropical beaches and year-round sunny weather offer the perfect setting for excellent waves.
Huanchaco Sunset
Mancora
The town has changed over recent years; however, the magical waves have remained the same. Right out in front of Mancora's main beach is a perfect left-hand break that gives you a long ride if you're able to avoid the beginners being pushed into the waves by their respective surf instructors. The beach faces northwest, so it's best on a north swell, which happens throughout the summertime, offering rideable waves almost daily. If it's high tide (the only time you can surf it because of all the rocks) and there's a decent-sized swell, just down the beach south of the main break is another, less crowded wave called Punta Ballenas. Mancora offers plenty of surf schools and surfboards for rent on the beach, right in front of the main break, making it one of the Top Surfing Destinations in Peru.
Mancora Surfboards
Chicama
Chicama is home to the longest left-hand break in the world and is a must-visit for every surfer. Chicama is not as tourist-packed as Mancora, but on a good day, you can be with several surfers and maybe even a world-class surfer. Even though it is the longest left in the world, it is made up of different sections surfers can ride on along the wave. Located 32 km north of Trujillo, it is generally sunny all year round. The water is chilly in the Pacific style, particularly during the winter months.
Chicama
Lobitos
Lobitos is one of the top surfing destinations in Peru for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. There are seven different surf breaks in Lobitos, so there is a wave for all classes of surfers. Although some spots offer hollow barrels, others are mellow and beginner friendly. For instance, the break just in front of the town, La Punta, is where novice surfers can get some long mellow left-hand waves.
Lobitos
Cabo Blanco
Nicknamed "Peru's Pipeline," Cabo Blanco is a reef break that offers perfect left-hand barrels when the swell is right. The wave breaks over a reef, which can be dangerous and is not recommended for beginners. The beach is also home to the Cabo Blanco Fishing Club, frequented by Ernest Hemingway. On a regular day, Cabo Blanco is a quaint fishing town, but when the waves are right, the town fills with surfers from Lima and all over the world. Expect Peru's best surfers to town when the waves are just right.
Cabo Blanco
La Herradura
This surf beach is in Lima, the capital's best point break, located south of Miraflores in Chorrillos. You can score some epic surf and a world-class left-hand break if the swell is right. La Herradura can be difficult to get to because it is located outside the main tourist areas, but you can take a bus or a taxi to get here. You won't find any boards to rent, so hire one or bring your own.
La Herradura
Punta Roquitas
This wave is just below the Miraflores boardwalk, which makes it a perfect location for those visiting Lima and staying in the Miraflores or Barranco neighborhoods. Depending on the swell, it can be a tricky paddle-out, but it is well worth the effort. You can find some fun lefts and rights, with all the attractions of Miraflores and Barranco close by. You can rent boards at Playa Waikiki, just down the beach, and occasionally someone will turn up with boards for rent at the break on a good day's surf.
Punta Roquitas
Pico Alto
Pico Alto is one of the biggest waves in South America, attracting big-wave riders from all over the world. The wave is only surfable when the swell is huge and every other break is closing out. This is another tricky paddle-out, which is why most people go out on boats or are towed on a jet ski. Floating out in the Pacific Ocean, away from the shore, you will find 6-meter waves, making Pico Alto the perfect option for the seriously expert surfer and one of the top surfing destinations in Peru.
Pico Alto
This is our pick of the top surf spots in Peru. Contact us at Valencia travel Cusco for the best surf destinations in the country here, and we can help you plan the best surf spots all along the coast and the best time of the year to visit the top surfing destinations in Peru!
