Destination Surf: Peru

Dreamy sunsets, ancient trails and waves that last forever. Peru is embedded with a rich history, and simplistic lifestyle which makes the allure of surfing its oceans that much more surreal. When planning a surf trip to Peru, know that there are a thousand miles of coastline, so there is something for everyone, no matter what type of wave you’re looking for.

Here are our few of our favourite spots:

Playa Chicama

The longest left in the world, Chicama shows off its cool barrels and dream-like waves. Bring a wetsuit (3.2mm will do) for this cold water surf spot, and enjoy brushing shoulders with professional surfers and locals alike while surfing here. Located in the northern coastal desert of Peru, Chicama is one of those spots that is a must on ever leisure to advanced surfers list.

Mancora

A beginner surfers starting point, Mancora is the spot to go to learn to surf in Peru. With an endless amount of surf schools and board rentals, beginners take to the waves on the left-hand reef break, and have the best time riding a wave. With its northwest facing beach, and hollow, fast left waves, everyday is a good day at Mancora. The town is With plenty of restaurants and places to stay, tourists venture off here during the hot summer.

Punta Hermosa

When Sofia Mulanovich, a world champion surfer and first Peruvian surfer to win the WSL, calls this beach her home, you know it’s a true bucket-list add. From La Isla’s right-handed rocky reef bre to Playa Norte’s beach break, surfers here enjoy the laid-back lifestyle and take their pick at which wave suits their fancy all day everyday. If you’re an extremely advanced surfer, keep an eye out for the Humboldt current for the Pico Alto wave, a massive wave that reaches as high as 40ft.

Cabo Blanco

An experienced surfers wave, Cabo Blanco’s reef break offers impeccable left-hand barrels when the swell is on. Providing plenty of fast tubes for experienced surfers, be mindful of locals, as when this wave is on, Peru’s best surfers flock here. Bring booties when surfing in Peru as there are plenty of rocks and sea urchins across the endless coastlines.

Huanchaco

Designated as a World Surf Reserve, Huanchaco’s clean, consistent surf is seriously dreamy. Best from April to October, this sand bottom left-hand point break is a classic year-round wave. Surf culture is highly present at Huanchaco as it is the birthplace of Peru’s ‘caballito de totora’, one of the earliest known surf crafts, that are still used by fishermen today.  

From climbing Machu Picchu to surfing the longest left in the world, Peru is the place to become immersed in the culture of it all.