If you’re fascinated by the sea, passionate about surfing and ocean adventures, and dreaming of a destination with stunning beaches and world-renowned surf breaks, it’s time to start planning your trip to Peru. Here, riding the waves is much more than just a sport—it’s a rich culture, a tradition, and a point of pride.
Peru’s extensive coastline provides a magnificent setting for surfing all year round. And if you’re heading to Lima, the only South American capital with a sea view, you can catch some waves any time of day at the nearby and accessible beaches of Costa Verde.
If that isn’t enough to persuade you to visit our sun-scorched coastal strip, here’s more: the Pico Alto wave in Punta Hermosa (a beach town south of Lima) is one of the best big wave spots on the continent.
Here are some more details: did you know that the world’s longest left-hand wave forms from April to October at Chicama (in the La Libertad region) and stretches over two kilometres? Or that the challenging and aggressive waves of Máncora (in the Piura region) draw surfers from all over the globe?
Just a few details that show Peru is a sand and sea destination. As a popular song says, “in these lands of the Inca, illuminated by the sun because God commands it,” challenging the waves is a practice rooted in the legendary times of pre-Hispanic civilizations.
Come on, dive into surfing the Peruvian seas and experience something radical, intense, and unforgettable. We’re sure you won’t regret it. We look forward to seeing you!
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Historical Waves
Local surfers proudly share that waves have been ridden on the northern beaches of Peru long before modern surfboards arrived at the Waikiki Club in Lima, thanks to its founder, the renowned Carlos Dogny Larco.
It was in 1942 that surfing pioneers began to attract the attention of capital city holidaymakers. Gradually, the novel activity gained popularity, so much so that the first championships were held in Peruvian waters in 1950.
The skills of Peruvian surfers gained global recognition in 1965 when Felipe Pomar won the World Surfing Championships. This was the first in a series of successes by our surfers in various competitions.
Over the years, the passion of these athletes led them to explore new surf spots. Their journeys were crucial for spreading the sport and boosting the subsequent tourism development of coastal destinations.
But that’s just part of the story. There’s another, much older narrative that drifts between myth and legend, explaining the origins of two pre-Incan coastal cultures in northern Peru that flourished between 750 and 1400 AD.
Legend has it that Naylamp and Tacaynamo, the founders of the Lambayeque and Chimú cultures, sailed the Pacific in reed rafts made from totora, an aquatic plant that grows in the wetlands and lagoons of Peru’s coast and highlands.
Since then, the descendants of these figures have preserved the tradition of “weaving” their boats, known as “caballitos de totora“ (little reed horses) by Spanish conquerors. Due to their millennia-old significance, these rafts have been part of the National Cultural Heritage since August 27, 2003.
If you, as a travelling surfer, make your way to the beaches of Huanchaco (La Libertad region) and Pimentel (Lambayeque region) during your visit to Peru, you’ll see fishermen “riding” the waves just as Naylamp and Tacaynamo did.
They straddle their boats to “ride” the waves, using the curved and pointed bow of their “water steeds.” Would you be up for navigating on this ancient precursor to modern surfboards?
The Stars of Peruvian Surfing
With so much sea and great waves, it’s no coincidence that Peruvian surfers shine in continental and global competitions.
Their successes are a source of national pride and a powerful motivation for children and young people to take up the sport, with the hope of representing the country in oceans and seas around the world.
For this reason and many others, when you surf in Peru, you’ll be riding the waves alongside a sea of champions, a sea that has honed the skills and technique of the following athletes:
- Felipe Pomar, the Legendary Champion: As a pioneer and tireless promoter of surfing in Peru, Felipe Pomar made history by becoming the first Latin American to win the World Surfing Championships. His remarkable achievement in 1965 is remembered fondly and continues to inspire new generations of surfers.
- Sofía Mulánovich, the Queen of the Sea: In 2004, Sofía, also known as “La Gringa“ became the first Peruvian and Latin American to win the World Surfing Championships in the women’s category. As an Olympic athlete in Tokyo 2020, her successful career has inspired countless young girls to take up surfing with hopes of becoming professionals.
- Gabriel Villarán, the Big Wave Master: Known for his pursuit of massive waves, Gabriel Villarán tests his courage and skill in the world of Big Wave Surfing. Respected globally, he is also a two-time Latin American champion with the Asociación Latinoamericana de Surfistas Profesionales (ALAS) (2005-2006 season) and a World Surfing Championship runner-up (ISA Billabong 2010).
- Lucca Mesinas, Born to Surf: It’s almost as if Lucca was born riding waves. Born in 1996 in Máncora, one of Peru’s renowned coastal destinations, Lucca’s sporting career shines with gold medals from the Lima 2019 and Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. He also earned fifth place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- Miguel Tudela, South America’s Best: Miguel Tudela’s impressive performances in World Surf League (WSL) tournaments make him one of Peru’s standout surfers. In the 2022-2023 season, Tudela was crowned South American champion of the WSL Latinoamérica, becoming the first Peruvian male surfer to achieve this title.
Where to surf in Peru
The waves in Lima
Makaha
It’s perfect for starting your adventure on the Peruvian coast and experiencing your first thrills in the Pacific. Close and accessible from Lima’s Historic Centre, Makaha is a beach with consistent waves suitable for surfers of all levels.
When you visit this beach in the touristy Miraflores district, chat with the local surfers and treat your taste buds at the nearby restaurants. If you’re missing any gear, don’t worry—there are specialized shops where you can find everything you need to get out on the water.
La Herradura
Another favourite spot for surfers along the Costa Verde, as the beaches of Lima Bay are known, is La Herradura. According to those with long memories, it was here that young pioneers gathered in search of an extra adrenaline rush during the summer months (December to March).
Since then, its long, powerful wave has been an excellent option at any time of the year. A strong reason to explore this beach in the Chorrillos district, located 19 kilometres from Lima’s Historic Centre.
Don’t worry about the distance. The beach is quite well-known, so you’ll have no trouble getting there. At the end of the day, we recommend rewarding your effort with a visit to one of the local restaurants that add flavour to La Herradura.
Punta Rocas
If you want to feel like one of the pioneers of modern surfing in Peru, visit this beach with consistent and powerful waves, located 45 kilometres south of Lima’s Historic Centre.
The waves at Punta Rocas (in the district of the same name) were among the first where both local and international surfers began competing back in the 1960s.
This reputation continues to this day. Countless local and international tournaments and championships are held at this iconic beach, where the waves crash over the rocks.
Punta Hermosa
From gentle, accessible waves to the formidable swells of seven and eight metres at Pico Alto—that’s what you’ll find in Punta Hermosa, an exceptional destination 42 kilometres south of Lima. Here, beginner surfers and those seeking the extreme challenges of Big Wave Surfing share the waves.
In Punta Hermosa, you’ll not only enjoy the Pacific surf but also have the chance to try other ocean activities, such as open water swimming and snorkelling.
If you want to stay overnight, you won’t have any trouble. The area offers a wide range of accommodations and restaurants to suit various tastes and preferences.
Surfing in the north
Chicama
If you want to ride the left wave considered the longest in the world, you need to head to Chicama or Malabrigo, a world-class point located 30 kilometres north of Trujillo, the capital of the La Libertad region.
The “Chicama waves” are consistent and stretch over two kilometres when the weather conditions are ideal. To have an incredible experience in the northern seas of Peru, visit Malabrigo between April and October. This is the best season to ride the long, famous left at Chicama.
In this ideal destination for both local and international surfers, you’ll find accommodations and several restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite seafood and share experiences and stories with other surfers.
Lobitos
Before becoming a beach destination, Lobitos was a camp for oil industry workers. From its heyday (1900 to 1968), some old pinewood houses remain, giving the town a unique charm.
With consistent waves and chilly water (thanks to the Humboldt current), Lobitos is known for its breakpoints. Here, you can not only enjoy surfing but also try kitesurfing.
Due to its proximity to Piura, the regional capital (70 km south), and Máncora (58 km north), Lobitos is an excellent alternative, especially if you’re seeking tranquillity and great waves.
Máncora
Sun, white sandy beaches, clear waters, spectacular waves, and a vibrant nightlife—these are the attractions of Máncora, an old fishing village turned tourist hotspot where travellers from various nationalities come to enjoy.
Even if you don’t know how to surf, you’re in luck. Máncora has several specialised schools where you can learn the basics of surfing.
So, there’s no excuse. Plan your trip to this district in the Talara province, located 181 kilometres from Piura, the regional capital. The road trip takes about three hours.
As a constantly growing destination, you’ll have a wide range of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and surf-related businesses to choose from, along with other marine activities that will make your stay in this Pacific gem even more enjoyable.
Adventure in the South
La Isla
Its long, consistent waves are perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers looking to hone their skills on a beach away from the crowds.
With its clear waters and stunning scenery, La Isla is the ideal getaway for surfing in Camaná, one of the coastal provinces in the Arequipa region—a land of volcanoes and deep canyons.
The drive from Arequipa, the regional capital known as the “White City,” takes about three hours.
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