El Cabezo
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
El Cabezo is an exposed left-hand point break near Lima/Callao that’s described as working year-round with consistent surf. Multiple sources emphasize that it runs over a rocky and sand bottom and can offer long rides—one account notes surf that can break over rock and sand bottom for up to about 100 meters. The wave is characterized as peeling and generally suited to surfers with intermediate skills. It’s not framed as a beginner-friendly launch because the environment is technical: rocks are a primary hazard and waves can come close to the headland. While it can handle larger swells, conditions may become more challenging due to currents. Water quality is a key concern. The industrial/port setting in Callao is repeatedly associated with pollution, and the water is described as dirty/not ideal for swimming. Because conditions are also shaped by shipping-lane proximity, surfers should plan around safety and environmental considerations (including monitoring advisories). Crowding is typically low. Despite being a consistent break, it’s described as unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up, and local accounts frame it as a low-profile spot known mostly by surfers looking for an uncrowded alternative near Lima.
- Exposed left-hand point break that works at all tides
- Rock-and-sand bottom with long potential rides (up to ~100 meters)
- Low crowd levels even when conditions are good
- Cold water year-round—wetsuit expected
- Consistent left-hand point break with long rides (up to about 100 meters).
- Works at all tides (with mid-tide sometimes noted for optimal swell window).
- Generally unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up.
- Water quality is polluted due to proximity to the main port area.
- Rocky bottom and rocks near the headland increase injury risk.
- Shipping/industrial setting means heavy traffic nearby; conditions are technical.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, ENE, NE, E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- NE, E, ENE
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Accounts describe sea-breeze influence with prevailing ENE/NE directions in some periods, alongside weak gradient/frontal behavior.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: E, ENE, NE · Most reliable wind window described as 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline/headland.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Providers describe medium wave size.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline requiring careful entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky shoreline requiring careful entry.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded, even during good swells, due to the industrial setting and water quality concerns.
Garúa (dense fog/mist) is common from June to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed left-hand point break that works at all tides; breaks up to about 100 meters over rock and sand, with an exposed, rocky environment near the industrial port area.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Some accounts say all tides; one account specifies mid tide for peak conditions.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- East and Northeast winds are described as providing offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes more challenging due to currents.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Described as average/consistent depending on swell.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power described.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Left-hand point break described as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling left-hand ride; speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Providers describe ride length ranging up to about 100 meters; another account characterizes it as medium.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Up to 100 meters is described; also characterized as a peeling left-hand ride over rocky bottom.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Cabezo in the full forecast view.
El Cabezo wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–17 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SSE168°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2317 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.8 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Cabezo is forecast for daytime winds of 7–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.0–1.8 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- pollution
- heavy shipping traffic nearby
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Limited recreational rescue availability noted for the strategic port/military area context.
- Emergency Info
- General Peru emergency number: 911 or 105 (police), 106 (fire), 107 (medical). Nearest major medical facilities are in the Callao district.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Low-profile scene; described as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
- Do not treat the water as suitable for swimming due to pollution.
- Be careful not to hit the rock when waves come in close on some days; once past the rock, the rest is described as risk-free.
- Monitor water quality advisories due to port proximity and generally dirty water.
- Wear booties to protect against the rocky bottom.
- Assume limited rescue/recreational coverage in this industrial/port setting.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Chucuito
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
- Parking
- Limited street parking available in the surrounding neighborhood.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Lima Metro and local bus systems, though reaching specific launch points often requires private transport or boat.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and guesthouses available in the broader Lima and Callao areas.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and cafes are available in the nearby Chucuito district.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specific rental shops at the spot; equipment rental described as available through mobile schools operating in Lima and Callao (region-level).
- Gear Storage
- Storage is limited and generally restricted to members of local sailing or rowing clubs.
- Gear Repair
- Minor sail and kite repairs available in Miraflores and Chorrillos districts of Lima (gear repair described at region level).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Boat tours to swim with sea lions and view Humboldt penguins.
Historic, upscale peninsula known for colonial architecture and a maritime atmosphere.
Urban art district featuring murals, galleries, and local crafts.
Massive 18th-century star-shaped fortress built to defend the port from pirates.
Private charters to reach outer breaks and islands of the Callao bay.
Traditional Peruvian ceviche and fresh catch from the Callao port.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Cabezo?
The best overall months at El Cabezo are January, February, March, December. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at El Cabezo?
El Cabezo works with N, ENE, NE, E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are NE, E, ENE.
What skill level is El Cabezo suitable for?
El Cabezo suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.