About Peru Surf Travel
If a compelling surf history, an ancient culture, friendly locals, year-round swell, cheap prices, and an enormous selection of high-quality surf spots can serve as any indication, then yes, Peru is one of the world’s finest surf destinations. So why the small number of worldly surf trekkers? Could be the abundance of dust and generally less-than-tropical water temperatures, but we’re thinking it’s simply because most of you are unaware of Peru’s glory, and that’s why we’re here. But to successfully depict Peru’s surf would require a book of great length, so for starters just realize that Peru has about 1,600 miles of coastline, much of which has prevailing offshore wind and receives swell from all directions. Peru’s coast — a long, narrow strip of desert that is drier than the Sahara — is wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the highlands that contort into the western foothills of the mystical Andes Mountains. While getting to the beach isn’t always easy, there are enough accessible pointbreaks, beachbreaks, reefbreaks, long waves, short waves, hollow waves, mushy waves, etc., to satisfy anybody. The area around Lima/Punta Hermosa has the highest density of spots, which is why most visitors base themselves there, and the south has its share of jewels, but the real deal is the north coast. Sure, it can be a dull, barren world out there, but what Peru lacks in scenery is soundly compensated for by epic surf. The coast lies entirely within the tropics, yet the Peru Current, an unusually cold ocean flow, renders the coast much cooler than is typical for a tropical region. Because the coastal air is cool, it cannot hold much moisture. Additionally, air from the wet east loses its moisture in the Andes before it reaches the coast, so the coast seldom receives more than one inch of precipitation per year.
Surf Crowds
The marquee waves do get crowded, but it’s all relative, with Cabo Blanco being the worst in terms of competitiveness in the water. Since Peru is not one of the surf-tourism industry’s golden zones, there isn’t a seasonal influx of Gold Card-wielding foreigners out to surf as much as possible during their two-week annual vacation. Surfers here are almost all Peruvian, so when/if there is ever a crowd, utmost respect must be given.
Surf Hazards
On land, thievery is your biggest concern — locals here are poor, so they will take whatever they can get, and relatively “rich” tourists are prime targets. In the water, rocks can be a hassle at some spots, but it’s not too bad. Stinging jellyfish make an appearance every once in a while.
Best Surf Seasons in Peru
1) Fall
This is when the South Pacific begins to light up, pushing swell over from New Zealand at an ideal angle for Northern Peru’s points. More consistent than summer, and the water is still fairly warm.
2) Summer
Peru’s summer is the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, so North Pacific groundswells can be the primary swell source from October to March, and that’s good for much of Northern Peru. Prevailing winds are light from the south, the air is dry, and the water temperature is at its warmest, generally in the high 60s to low 70s. Summer is a good time to visit if you’d trade the cold Northern Hemisphere winter for some dry desert warmth.
3) Spring
Similar to fall in that there can be both North Pacific and South Pacific swell, with a decrease in the latter and a marked increase in the former. Still no rain, and light south wind.
4) Winter
Prime time for southwest swell, with cooler water temperatures and prevailing southerly winds, often blocked by the headlands of the left points.
Directions to Best Surf in Peru
Lima is Peru’s international gateway, but it is a considerable distance south of Northern Peru. Unless you plan to fly to Lima and then drive north, it’s best and most practical if you catch a connecting flight from Lima to Talara/Tumbes or Trujillo. Once there, access to the surf spots via car is straightforward.