Punta Hermosa
Punta Hermosa, Lima, Peru
Sports: Surfing, Tow foiling
Best time to go: May–September
Punta Hermosa is a beach district about 40 kilometres south of central Lima, on the desert coast of Peru. It has a high concentration of waves within a few kilometres, including the point breaks of Señoritas and Caballeros, Punta Rocas just to the south in neighbouring Punta Negra and the offshore reef of Pico Alto, one of South America's best-known big-wave spots.
The coast picks up south and south-west swells, which are most consistent and largest from about April to October, during the southern winter. Lighter winds and land breezes in the morning give the cleanest conditions, and the afternoon south-westerly sea breeze often makes it choppy. Most breaks are over rock or reef, and the spot suits intermediate and advanced surfers; Pico Alto only works on large swells and is ridden by paddle and tow-in big-wave surfers. The Humboldt Current keeps the water cool, about 15 to 19 °C, so a 3/2 or 4/3 wetsuit is usual in winter. The line-ups are busy with Lima surfers, especially at weekends, and locals expect respect.
Month by month at Punta Hermosa
- January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 20°C, air 24°C (nights 19°C), 30 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 22°C, air 25°C (nights 21°C), 27 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- March: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 22°C, air 25°C (nights 20°C), 31 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 21°C, air 24°C (nights 19°C), 30 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 2 m, water 20°C, air 21°C (nights 17°C), 28 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 2 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 16°C), 26 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 19°C, air 19°C (nights 15°C), 28 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- August: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 2 m, water 18°C, air 19°C (nights 15°C), 27 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 2 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 27 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 15°C), 29 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 18°C, air 21°C (nights 16°C), 29 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 19°C, air 22°C (nights 18°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing & tow foiling at Punta Hermosa?
May–September, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Punta Hermosa?
17°C to 22°C over the year: a shorty or lycra in the warmest month, a 4/3 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is Punta Hermosa?
About 0 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in January.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Punta Hermosa
- Paracas Bay (179 km)
More: All spots in Peru · Surfing in Peru · Tow foiling in Peru
Compare with: Chicama vs Punta Hermosa