El Cape (Keys)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Cape (also known as “Keys”) is an uncrowded, high-performance left-hand point break along the Rázuri coastline. The wave is typically hollow, fast, and powerful, with an unusually long ride window often described around 300–500 meters. It’s associated with a sandy bottom but with exposed rocks/reef influence, so the takeoff and impact zone can be hazardous—especially at lower tides. Swell is reported to start working around 1.0–1.5 m and can build to around 3 m+, with the best swell direction described as southwest/west/southwest. Surf quality is described as world-class. Reports also note it can hold significant size and tends to become more powerful as swell increases. Wind conditions for surfing are described as most favorable when the winds are offshore or cross-offshore for the lefts. Clean conditions in February are specifically called out (described as low clean percentage but the best/most consistent month), while winter months are generally the optimum season for power and favorable offshore setups. Access is a major practical factor: sources describe a long walk (over 30 minutes) and/or boat/zodiac access from the Malabrigo area, plus entry timing on foot via a small sandy pocket at low tide. With limited rescue and no lifeguards, riders are advised to plan carefully, bring protective gear (including helmet and impact protection), and manage the rock/reef risks during approach and exit.
- Hollow, fast, powerful left-hand point break
- Very long ride lengths (often 300–500 m)
- Winter is the optimum season; February noted as the most consistent clean month
- Uncrowded even when working
- World-class, hollow left-hand point break with very long rides
- Often uncrowded even when it’s working
- Winter conditions described as optimal, with February noted as the cleanest month
- Rock and reef hazards with exposed, higher-risk entry/launch conditions
- Cold water and limited rescue/lifeguard coverage
- Difficult access (long walk and/or boat needed)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Also described as a trade-wind pattern with afternoon strengthening (consistent wind reinforced by local thermal effects).
- Reliability
- 10% clean in February; higher consistency in winter months
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- Occasional turbulence close to the high cliffs of the cape
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Dir: S, SSE · Afternoon trade winds are typically the most consistent window; some sources indicate conditions start around 1:00 PM.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Sources conflict: some report sand, others describe mixed sand/rock or sand with rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Often described as small to big depending on the source; one summary indicates SWells start at ~1.0–1.5 m and can hold much larger up to ~3 m+.
- Launch
- Small — Small sandy pocket beaches and rocky ledges along the cape
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Remote access and rocky/submerged hazards increase difficulty.
Through the year
Lower crowds than the main takeoff area due to difficult access
Rarely rains; very arid desert climate
By sport
What to expect for each.
Requires advanced skill due to the long distance and needing to tack upwind from Malabrigo to reach the point; offers extremely long rides on the lefts.
World-class down-the-line wave riding; navigating out to the cape is required.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible but challenging due to rocky bottom and long distance from the main launch.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Rocky bottom and shallow/variable sections make it demanding.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Left-hand point break with an exceptionally long, hollow section; sandy bottom with rocks/reef influence and exposed conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S, W
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also noted as often better at mid to high tide to cover rocks.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore north winds are described as optimal for grooming; another source indicates S/SE winds provide cross-offshore grooming for the lefts.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size (reports mention up to ~3 m+) and becomes more powerful and potentially more barreling.
- Wave Quality
- World class
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often described as hollow, fast, and powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Very long rides are a key feature.
- Typical Ride Length
- 300–500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Very long (about 300 to 500 m). Some reports indicate exceptional days can exceed 500 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Cape (Keys) in the full forecast view.
El Cape (Keys) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–16 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- S175°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2916 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.1 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Cape (Keys) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.3–2.1 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
- reef
- rips/strong currents
- remote location
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited; zodiac/boat help is often used by private operators.
- Emergency Info
- Medical facilities are located in the town of Malabrigo (Puerto Chicama). For major assistance in the wider area, emergency services are reachable from the region via 105 (Police) or 116 (Fire/Rescue).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism; described as uncrowded.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the locals and the rotation.
- Avoid when wave/rock conditions are too high to safely manage impacts near exposed rocks.
- Enter at low tide via a small sand beach after 'El Point' (may be covered at high tide).
- Access involves a long walk (>30 minutes) and/or boat access; plan energy accordingly.
- Bring sturdy booties for walking back along a rocky shore.
- Consider saving energy with boat/zodiac assistance when available.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ráııri
- Nearest Town
- Ráııri
- Parking
- Car access required; parking is available in Malabrigo town, with no direct road access to the cape.
- Access
- Long walk (>30 min) from the main Chicama point; take a car to reach the next small sand beach after 'El Point', enter at low tide. Also described as reachable by long walk from Malabrigo or by boat/zodiac.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various surf hostels and hotels located in Malabrigo.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and shops available in Malabrigo town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available in Malabrigo town; specialized kite/wingfoiling gear may be limited and needs advance booking.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by some surf camps in the village.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs available in Malabrigo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Cape (Keys)?
The best overall months at El Cape (Keys) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at El Cape (Keys)?
El Cape (Keys) works with SW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Cape (Keys)?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Cape (Keys): Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is El Cape (Keys) suitable for?
El Cape (Keys) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.