Intermediate Surf Spots in Peru

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Point break · Right / Secondary Left

Level

Intermediate / Advanced

Season

April – September

Tide

Mid / Incoming Tide

Watch out

Uneven reef • exposed rocks • sea urchins • rips • competitive lineup • colder Humboldt Current water • stronger consequences as swell increases.

El Alto

Wave

Beach Break · Left

Level

Intermediate

Season

Spring & Summer; January Peak

Tide

Variable / Tide Dependent

Watch out

Rocks are the principal reported hazard. Swell dependent and can be too small between stronger swell events.

Ñuro

Wave

Reef Break · Left

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Season

June–November

Tide

Tide dependent; use caution at lower tides

Watch out

Rocky reef, submerged rocks and local surfers. Respect the local lineup and use additional caution at lower tides.

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Reef break · Right

Level

ntermediate / Advanced

Season

April–September

Tide

Low to Mid Hight Tide

Watch out

Exposed rocks and boulders • sea urchins • strong currents/rips • tricky entry and exit • shallow sections at lower tide • powerful surf on larger S–SW swells • experienced/competitive lineup.

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Point / Reef-Boulder Break · Right

Level

Intermediate / Advanced

Season

April - September

Tide

Mid Tide / Rising

Watch out

Rocks/Boulders • Urchins • Rips • Shorebreak • Shallow Sections • Fickle

Playa Hermosa

Wave

Reef Point Break · Right

Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Season

March – September

Tide

Low Tide

Watch out

Shallow rock reef • sea urchins • exposed rocks • strong currents/rips • fast hollow sections • difficult entry/exit at size • heavy crowds • competitive/localized lineup • powerful surf on larger SW swells.

Organos

Wave

Reef Break · Left

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Season

December to April / Peak around March

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Shallow rocky reef, exposed rocks and local surfers. Fast, powerful wave that can become hollow; greater caution required on larger swells and lower tides.

Máncora

Wave

Point Break · Left

Level

All Levels; best for intermediate surfers

Season

Year-Round; strongest NW swells typically Nov–Mar

Tide

All tides; low tide often best

Watch out

Rock-and-sand bottom, exposed rocks at lower tides. More powerful and challenging on larger swells.

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Point / Reef Break · Right

Level

Advanced

Season

April–September

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Rock/reef hazards • strong currents on larger swells • powerful surf at size • experienced surfers recommended when large • competitive Punta Hermosa lineup • cool Humboldt/Peru Current water • rapidly changing conditions with strong S–SW groundswell.

San Bartolo

Wave

Point Break / Boulder Reef · Left

Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Season

April – October

Tide

Low - Mid / Rising Tide

Watch out

Boulders/Rocks • Rips • Hollow Sections • Powerful Surf • Challenging Takeoffs • Cool Water

San Bartolo

Wave

Point / Reef Break · Right / Occasional Left

Level

Advanced

Season

March–October

Tide

Low to Mid Tide

Watch out

Peñascal is powerful and moves a lot of water. Surfers should be comfortable with shifting takeoffs, steep drops, rocks and boulders, strong currents/rips and getting caught inside on larger sets. The combination of shallow rock, substantial swell and a technical lineup makes this a poor choice for beginners.

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Reef break · Right

Level

Intermediate - Advenced

Season

December – April

Tide

Mid to Hight Tide

Watch out

Large boulders • exposed rocks • sea urchins • fast hollow takeoffs • shorebreak • seasonal sand movement • closeouts when oversized. The changing sand level is particularly important here because the same beach can look and surf noticeably different between summer and winter.

Playa Pulpos

Wave

Reef break · Left / Right

Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Season

April–September

Tide

Tide dependent / shifting sandbars

Watch out

Dangerous Rips • Strong Currents • Shifting Peaks • Powerful Swell • Cool Water

Máncora

Wave

Reef Break / Point Break · Left

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Season

Spring & Summer (approximately Sep–Mar)

Tide

Mid Tide, Rising

Watch out

Rocky reef and sea urchins. Use caution around exposed rocks, particularly at lower tides. Best with NW groundswells, SE winds and a rising mid tide.

Punta Negra

Wave

Reef break · Left / Right

Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Season

April–September

Tide

Low to Mid High Tide

Watch out

Rocks, rips and sea urchins, with a tricky entry and exit. Heavy surf at size. Crowded at weekends. Watch for fishing lines near the point.

Punta Sal

Wave

Point Break · Left Point

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Season

March - October. Still surf in Nov–Feb, but less consistent.

Tide

Low to Mid Tide

Watch out

Rocky point/reef. Watch for exposed and submerged rocks, particularly at lower tide. Best with clean NW groundswells and ESE offshore winds.

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Reef break · Right

Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Season

April–September

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Rocks • Rips/Undertow • Hollow Sections • Powerful Surf • Crowds • Fickle Conditions

San Bartolo

Wave

Reef / Point Brea · Right

Level

All Levels - Beginner - Pre-Intermediate - Intermediate - Advanced

Season

Year Round

Tide

Hight Tide

Watch out

The bottom is rocky, and sea urchins are a known hazard, so surfers should pay attention to entry and exit points. The preferred entry is on the right side of the Playa Norte pier. Peru’s cool Humboldt-influenced water also means wetsuit needs vary seasonally; local guidance suggests a short suit in summer and full suit during winter.

San Bartolo

Wave

Reef / Point / Pier Break · Left

Level

Beginner - Pre-Intermediate - Intermediate - Advanced

Season

Year-Round

Tide

All tides, with Low Tide preferred

Watch out

Rocky bottom and sea urchins. Watch your footing when entering and exiting, and respect the established lineup when it's busy. The preferred access is from the left side of the Playa Norte pier. Water temperatures fluctuate seasonally; local guidance recommends lighter wetsuit protection in summer and a full suit during the cooler winter period.

Santa María del Mar

Wave

Beach break · Right / Left

Level

Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced

Season

April – October

Tide

Mid Tide — Rising

Watch out

Santa María's sand bottom is more forgiving than many of the rocky reef and point breaks nearby, but the ocean itself deserves respect. Local descriptions specifically note changing currents and unpredictable power, and the shallow beach can make smaller waves surprisingly hollow. Sandbars also move, so the best peak may change considerably from one season or major swell to another.

Punta Hermosa

Wave

Left / Secondary Right

Level

Intermediate / Advanced

Season

April – September

Tide

Mid - High Tide

Watch out

Shallow reef • rocks • sea urchins • rips • competitive lineup • powerful surf when larger. Rocks, urchins and rips are all specifically identified hazards.

Wave

Point break · Left-hand

Level

Intermediate

Season

April to October (south swells)

Tide

All tides; best on a pushing tide

Watch out

Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.

Wave

Point break · Left-hand

Level

Intermediate

Season

April to October (south swells)

Tide

All tides; best on a pushing tide

Watch out

Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.