Surf Blog
Guides, tips and everything about surfing in Peru
What we cover
Practical guides, forecast analysis, and reports from spots along the Peruvian coast, written by local surfers.
We publish content focused on surfers riding waves in Peru: seasons (when and where each zone works), safety (rip currents, DHN warnings, events like El Niño Costero), spot guides from Lima to Pacasmayo, and technical concepts like reading tide charts and wave forecasts. Each article aims to answer a specific question, not fill pages with filler, and relies on verifiable data at the time of publication.
Articles are written by Neil and Daniel. Neil covers seasons, safety, and applied oceanography. Daniel focuses on technical guides, event coverage, and competition reports. We publish 2 to 4 articles per month, prioritizing evergreen content (spot guides, fundamentals) and seasonal notes relevant to the time of year. Looking for a specific topic? Use the category filters below or reach out to suggest one.
El Niño intensifies to strong phase: Peruvian sea runs up to 6 °C warmer and ENFEN does not rule out an extraordinary event
ENFEN upgraded the Coastal El Niño from moderate to strong and extended the alert through April 2027. The sea off Chicama and Callao exceeds a 6 °C anomaly, Paita reads 24 °C in the middle of winter, and NOAA gives an 81% chance of a very strong global El Niño by year end. What it means for surfers in Peru.
Peruvians in the WSL 2026: the real fight is in the Challenger Series and Peru has two cards in the qualification zone
No Peruvians made the Championship Tour this year, but the big story is being written in the Challenger Series: Lucca Mesinas sits tenth (top 10 qualify for the 2027 CT) and Sol Aguirre is eighth after her Ballito podium. How the race stands, what changed in the WSL format and which events decide everything.
South swell season 2026: a historic winter of swells, with Pico Alto on standby and summer-warm water
The June swell closed 106 ports at its peak and Lima's Costa Verde was shut down by ocean surges. Peru's 2026 south swell season is one of the most active in years, with the Pico Alto Pro International on hold, the FENTA circuit touring the country and an unprecedented ingredient: warm water from El Niño. The full season guide.
Pacasmayo, the complete guide: the endless left living in Chicama's shadow
A left pointbreak with rides over one kilometer long, smaller crowds than its famous neighbor, and a town with a historic pier and surf tradition since 1971. How to get there, when to go, what to expect from the wave and why Pacasmayo holds more swell than Chicama.
Rip currents: how to spot the "chiras", how to escape and how surfers use them to their advantage
Peru's police lifeguard unit performed over 1,500 ocean rescues in 2025, and strong currents are among the leading causes. What a rip current is, how to recognize one from the beach, what to do if it catches you, and why an experienced surfer can turn it into an ally.
Coastal El Niño June 2026: ENFEN declares moderate phase, extends alert to February 2027 as swells close 78 ports
June 2026 update: ENFEN Communiqué No. 10-2026 keeps the Coastal El Niño alert active through February 2027, the event is intensifying toward moderate magnitude, IMARPE detects subsurface anomalies of up to 7-8°C off Paita, and a new anomalous swell event keeps 78 ports closed through June 11. What it means for the southern surf season.
Coastal El Niño April 2026: ENFEN extends alert to January 2027 as anomalous swells close 53 ports
April 2026 update: ENFEN extends the Coastal El Niño alert until January 2027, the Niño 1+2 anomaly rises to +1.8°C, and an active anomalous swell event has closed 53 ports along the Peruvian coast. What this means for the southern surf season.
Pan American Surfing Games 2026: Peru closes Playa Venao with 5 medals and team bronze
Peru closed the XIX Pan American Surfing Games 2026 at Playa Venao (Panama) with 5 medals —2 gold (Vania Torres in SUP Surf and María Fernanda Reyes in longboard), 1 silver (Daniella Rosas) and 2 bronze (Lucca Mesinas and Tamil Martino)— and team bronze behind Brazil and Argentina. Full medal tally and recap.
Surfer Mindset: the book that connects surfing with life
Falú Padilla Colonio presents "Mentalidad de Surfista" (Surfer Mindset), a book that brings together real stories from Peruvian surfers and bodyboarders to teach 10 ocean principles applicable to life. Discover how to train your mind by surfing your own challenges.
Surf Fest Pro League and Señoritas Open Pro 2026: Peru establishes itself as a pro surfing hub
February and March 2026 marked a milestone for Peruvian surfing: the Señoritas Open Pro WSL QS 2000 in Punta Hermosa and the first stop of Sofía Mulanovich's Surf Fest Pro League at Punta Roquitas. Results, standout athletes, and what's next.
Where to surf in Lima: complete guide to spots for all levels
Lima is the surf capital of South America. From beginner-friendly waves at Makaha to the barrels of La Herradura, discover the best surf spots in Lima with updated forecasts, difficulty levels, and how to get there.
How to read a tide chart for surfing: a practical guide
Tides directly affect wave quality. Learn how to read a tide chart, understand high and low tide cycles, and discover the best time to surf at different types of breaks.