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Find the beach break 'Playa Norte' in Punta Hermosa (43km south of Lima) and paddle out to the really obvious break (700m paddle) - or go in at Senoritas and do an equal length paddle. Or take a jet-ski!
English (Translate this text in English): Find the beach break 'Playa Norte' in Punta Hermosa (43km south of Lima) and paddle out to the really obvious break (700m paddle) - or go in at Senoritas and do an equal length paddle. Or take a jet-ski!
English (Translate this text in English): Find the beach break 'Playa Norte' in Punta Hermosa (43km south of Lima) and paddle out to the really obvious break (700m paddle) - or go in at Senoritas and do an equal length paddle. Or take a jet-ski!
English (Translate this text in English): Find the beach break 'Playa Norte' in Punta Hermosa (43km south of Lima) and paddle out to the really obvious break (700m paddle) - or go in at Senoritas and do an equal length paddle. Or take a jet-ski!
DistanceIn the city
WalkInstant access (< 5min)
Easy to find?Easy to find
Public access?Public access
Special accessPaddle > 20mn or Boat
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Surf Spot Characteristics
Surf Spot Quality
Wave qualityTotally Epic
ExperiencePros or kamikaze only...
FrequencySometimes break
Wave
TypeReef-rocky
DirectionRight and left
BottomFlat rocks with sand
PowerHollow, Fast, Powerful
Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)
Good day lengthLong (150 to 300 m)
Tide, Swell and Wind
Good swell directionNorthWest, West, SouthWest, South
Good wind direction
Swell sizeStarts working at 3m-3.5m / 10ft-12ft and holds up to 5m / 16 ft and over
Best tide positionAll tides
Best tide movementRising tide
More details
Week crowdEmpty
Week-end crowdEmpty
Webcam url
Dangers
- Rips / undertow
Additional Information
This is one of the biggest waves in South America - holding waves upto 24 feet - bring a Gun in the 9-10 feet range. It draws big wave riders from all over the world and has recently seen tow-in surfing.
The wave only works when the swell is big and everywhere else is closing out. Tides are relatively unimportant - if the swell is big enough, then it will work. To add to the fun - the distance from shore makes getting positioned (and staying in position) really hard. Being in the wrong place is bad.
The big pacific swells which rock in tend to have big long sets (15-20 waves / set), which means timing and placement are really important.
If caught inside - watch out also for the reform shore-break on Playa Norte - when Pico Alto is big, this gets bad as well...
English (Translate this text in English): This is one of the biggest waves in South America - holding waves upto 24 feet - bring a Gun in the 9-10 feet range. It draws big wave riders from all over the world and has recently seen tow-in surfing.<br />The wave only works when the swell is big and everywhere else is closing out. Tides are relatively unimportant - if the swell is big enough, then it will work. To add to the fun - the distance from shore makes getting positioned (and staying in position) really hard. Being in the wrong place is bad.<br />The big pacific swells which rock in tend to have big long sets (15-20 waves / set), which means timing and placement are really important.<br />If caught inside - watch out also for the reform shore-break on Playa Norte - when Pico Alto is big, this gets bad as well...
English (Translate this text in English): This is one of the biggest waves in South America - holding waves upto 24 feet - bring a Gun in the 9-10 feet range. It draws big wave riders from all over the world and has recently seen tow-in surfing.<br />The wave only works when the swell is big and everywhere else is closing out. Tides are relatively unimportant - if the swell is big enough, then it will work. To add to the fun - the distance from shore makes getting positioned (and staying in position) really hard. Being in the wrong place is bad.<br />The big pacific swells which rock in tend to have big long sets (15-20 waves / set), which means timing and placement are really important.<br />If caught inside - watch out also for the reform shore-break on Playa Norte - when Pico Alto is big, this gets bad as well...
English (Translate this text in English): This is one of the biggest waves in South America - holding waves upto 24 feet - bring a Gun in the 9-10 feet range. It draws big wave riders from all over the world and has recently seen tow-in surfing.&lt;br &#47;&gt;The wave only works when the swell is big and everywhere else is closing out. Tides are relatively unimportant - if the swell is big enough, then it will work. To add to the fun - the distance from shore makes getting positioned (and staying in position) really hard. Being in the wrong place is bad.&lt;br &#47;&gt;The big pacific swells which rock in tend to have big long sets (15-20 waves &#47; set), which means timing and placement are really important.&lt;br &#47;&gt;If caught inside - watch out also for the reform shore-break on Playa Norte - when Pico Alto is big, this gets bad as well...
Atmosphere
Big, powerful and frightening. The only consolation is that the break is a long way out and you are unlikely to hit the bottom. However with half the pacific ocean on your head this probably won't be your main preocupation.
This spot is for experienced big wave riders. If you're not sure of your ability or fitness try some of the other local breaks first (Kon Tiki, Penescal, Punta Rocas...)
English (Translate this text in English): Big, powerful and frightening. The only consolation is that the break is a long way out and you are unlikely to hit the bottom. However with half the pacific ocean on your head this probably won't be your main preocupation.<br />This spot is for experienced big wave riders. If you're not sure of your ability or fitness try some of the other local breaks first (Kon Tiki, Penescal, Punta Rocas...)
English (Translate this text in English): Big, powerful and frightening. The only consolation is that the break is a long way out and you are unlikely to hit the bottom. However with half the pacific ocean on your head this probably won't be your main preocupation.<br />This spot is for experienced big wave riders. If you're not sure of your ability or fitness try some of the other local breaks first (Kon Tiki, Penescal, Punta Rocas...)
English (Translate this text in English): Big, powerful and frightening. The only consolation is that the break is a long way out and you are unlikely to hit the bottom. However with half the pacific ocean on your head this probably won't be your main preocupation.&lt;br &#47;&gt;This spot is for experienced big wave riders. If you're not sure of your ability or fitness try some of the other local breaks first (Kon Tiki, Penescal, Punta Rocas...)
General
A destination in itself for those who like this kind of pleasure. It is in a formidable position with heaps of quality spots within a few kilometers...
Awesome!
English (Translate this text in English): A destination in itself for those who like this kind of pleasure. It is in a formidable position with heaps of quality spots within a few kilometers...<br />Awesome!
English (Translate this text in English): A destination in itself for those who like this kind of pleasure. It is in a formidable position with heaps of quality spots within a few kilometers...<br />Awesome!
English (Translate this text in English): A destination in itself for those who like this kind of pleasure. It is in a formidable position with heaps of quality spots within a few kilometers...&lt;br &#47;&gt;Awesome!
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Pico Alto
By rob , 02-08-2010
- I stayed in punta hermosa for a while and was surfing playa norte one day on my own when I saw four guys on what looked like longboards it was a very misty day and visibility was maybe 20 metres.o well i thought shit surf for me wont get any waves with 4 longboarders out.It was only when they got closer that i realised that they were all on massive guns.they paddled strait passed me and disapered into the mist.turns out that they were paddling out to pico alto i dont know how they surfed it with such shit visability but they did chargers.and i know it was big having looked at other breaks in the area must have been at least 15 foot although i didnt see it that day