El Hombre
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Hombre is an exposed left-hand point break in northern Peru near Chicama/Rázuri (Rázuri Coast). Surf is described as fairly consistent, with waves that start working at under 1m and can build to 2.5m+. Multiple records describe the wave as fast and hollow, and generally good for fun, rideable point sections. The spot is strongly influenced by tide and the local geometry: it’s described as best around low and mid tide, and launch practicality can change with tide (including rocks that may be exposed at low water). A sandy bottom with rocks is noted, and the hazards section highlights rocks as the primary physical risk. Wind is dominated by South-Southeast trade winds. Southeast winds are described as the key wind direction for surfing conditions, and one record also notes afternoon strengthening from a thermal component (roughly 1:00 PM–5:00 PM in the region). For wave kiting, the Southeast wind can be cross-offshore and is described as enabling very long left-hand waves on a wave/turning-focused setup. Safety planning should prioritize the strong longshore drift/current and the reality that the return can be difficult. Local tips recommend riding a long wave and then walking back along the beach rather than paddling back to the peak; booties may help for walking over rocks at low tide. Water is described as cool to cold due to the Humboldt Current, so a spring-weight full suit is commonly recommended, with warmer/longer sessions possibly requiring a thicker wetsuit.
- Left-hand point break with fast, hollow character
- Long ride potential (often cited 50–150m; exceptional >500m)
- Southeast trade winds commonly complement wave quality
- Accessible from in front of the El Hombre Hotel in Chicama (short walk)
- Long, peeling left-hand point waves with hollow/fast character
- Southeast trade winds often provide cross-offshore grooming for wave faces
- Works from under 1m and can hold up to 2.5m+
- Rocks and scattered hazards along the point
- Strong longshore drift/current; return can be difficult
- Launch space depends significantly on tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- S, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southeast trade winds are the main driver; wind often complements the wave faces.
- Reliability
- High during the windy season (per provider); plus generally reinforced in the afternoon.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady.
- Best Months
- January, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Can be shadowed very close to the cliff or point.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rocks on/near the point.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Sources describe small to medium waves; surfing records mention working from <1m up to 2.5m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Paddle straight out from town; sandy beach area in front of the point/hotel though space depends on tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Easy in one record; moderate in another due to tide/rocks and positioning.
Through the year
Generally fewer surfers than the main Chicama point, but can get busy on peak swell weekends.
Very arid desert climate with minimal rainfall year-round (with very rare heavy rain tied to El Niño events).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Cross-offshore Southeast wind enables multiple turns on exceptionally long left-hand waves; described as world-class wave kiting. Wind can be lighter than some other nearby Peruvian spots (as a comparison in the source).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Increasingly popular for wave foiling due to ride length; wave speed is described as faster than main Chicama sections.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly is indicated.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the initial rock shelves
- Wing Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Exposed left-hand point break with consistent surf; works from less than 1m up to 2.5m+ and is known for fast, hollow, fun waves.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Best at low-to-mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast wind is favorable/cross-offshore, grooming the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but becomes increasingly difficult to paddle back against the current.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good to excellent; described as good and also excellent in different records.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow/peeling fast lefts; one source describes peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically 50–150m normal; exceptional >500m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal 50–150m; exceptional >500m on good days. Another record notes long rides and can reach over 500m on a solid swell, with connecting sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Hombre in the full forecast view.
El Hombre wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–16 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- S176°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–1.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Hombre is forecast for daytime winds of 6–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.3–1.9 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
- Strong longshore drift/current
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Formal public coastguard rescue is described as limited; local operators/hotels may provide assistance (zodiac boats) in the broader region.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Trujillo (~70 km away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism indicated.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local rotation in the takeoff zone.
- Space and launch practicality can vary significantly with tide.
- Long walk back / long return effort due to drift and position of the peak.
- The current is very strong—most riders prefer to ride a long wave and then walk back along the beach rather than trying to paddle back to the peak.
- Booties can help for walking over rocks at low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Trujillo
- Nearest Town
- Puerto Malabrigo
- Nearest Airport
- Cap. FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport (TRU)
- Parking
- Limited parking near the beach access and local hotels.
- Public Transport
- Access primarily via private shuttle or bus from Trujillo; local moto-taxis within the village of Puerto Malabrigo.
- Access
- In front of the El Hombre Hotel in Chicama; paddle straight out from the town. Instant access (<5 min walking distance).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several surf hotels and hostels are located within walking distance in Puerto Malabrigo.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes are available in the town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at shops in the main town area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Rázuri Coast destination is centered on long-wave coastal geography and reliable winds, with surf-focused small-town access around Puerto Malabrigo and Chicama-area point breaks.
An iconic old pier providing a great vantage point for watching the world-famous long waves.
Riding the steep dunes found in the desert surrounding the Rázuri district.
Numerous small eateries in Puerto Malabrigo serving fresh local seafood and traditional Peruvian ceviche.
The vast, sandy coastline is ideal for walking and exploring the desert-meets-ocean landscape.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Hombre?
The best overall months at El Hombre are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are January, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at El Hombre?
El Hombre works with SE winds. Offshore directions are S, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Hombre?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Hombre: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4.5–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is El Hombre suitable for?
El Hombre suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.