Surfing Guide to Chicama, Peru

• Summary

• When to go

• Where to stay

• Surf Camps

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

Summary

Welcome to Chicama, home of the longest wave in the world. In the northern Peruvian desert, a bit more than 50 miles away from Trujillo, is the small surf town of Chicama. Its reputation is uncontested and attracts surfers from around the world ever since it was discovered a few decades ago.

 
This gentle wave is very accessible even for beginners as it never really gets too heavy. It stays a long, smooth peeling wave that’s very pleasant to ride. There are a few sections that only connect on bigger swells but even when they don’t, the rides remain very long.

 

To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!

 
The big downside to surfing Chicama is having to paddle all the way back to the peak as well as fighting currents. Locals didn’t take long to figure out there was a demand for boat-lifts taking you from the end of the wave back to the take-off zone. It is up to you  to decide if you enjoy that kind of surfing or if you rather stick to paddling.

 

 

When to go

Although swells are pretty consistent throughout the year, the best time to surf Chicama is from April to November as it takes a fairly solid SW swell to wrap around the point and line-up nicely.
 

 

 

Where to stay in Chicama

Delfines de Chicama and Chicama Boutique Hotel are two great hotels very well located in Chicama.

 

Browse our interactive map to find your dream place to stay on a surf trip to Chicama!

 

 

 

 

Surf Camps in Chicama

7-day Full Surfing Camp in Barranca, Peru

• 7 days of activities
• At least 2 surf lessons per day
• Chan Chan ruins and Paramonga fortress tours
• Certified surf guides and professional drivers
• 6 nights accommodation
• Airport transfers and transportation within the trip
• Daily delicious Peruvian meals

 

 

Getting there

The big international airport is in Lima from where you can transfer by bus or plane to Trujillo. Chicama is about an hour drive away from Trujillo.

 

 

Safety/things to know

• For more information, visit the tourism department official website.
• This part of Peru is one of the driest place on Earth. Do not expect much rain 🙂

 

 

Surf spots in Chicama

Chicama (Puerto Malabrigo)

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : E

 

El Hombre

Located further up the point from Chicama’s main take-off zone, El Hombre is the more powerful and critical section of the wave.

• Wave direction: Left
• Bottom: Sand
• Best tide: Mid to high
• Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
• Optimal swell: SW
• Optimal wind: E

La Punta

The most consistent take-off zone and usually the starting point of most Chicama rides. When the swell is big enough, you can link from La Punta all the way through the next three sections.

• Wave direction: Left
• Bottom: Sand
• Best tide: Any
• Skill level: All levels
• Optimal swell: SW
• Optimal wind: E

El Point

On the biggest days, you can ride all the way to El Point, the most inside section of Chicama. The wave here softens out, offering cruisy walls perfect for cutbacks.

• Wave direction: Left
• Bottom: Sand
• Best tide: Any
• Skill level: All levels
• Optimal swell: SW
• Optimal wind: E