El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa)

Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean
Spot Type
10–15 kts
Wind Range

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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) is described as a reef break that can deliver powerful surf, including both right and left waves, though it is often characterized as being more known for its right-hand sections. Multiple sources agree that low tide is the key timing factor, and that conditions improve markedly with east winds that act offshore/cleaning the water surface. Because the bottom is reef with sea urchins, the session is inherently higher-risk. Sources specifically warn about rocks and urchins, and describe the entry/exit as requiring careful timing between sets. On bigger swells, strong rip currents are reported for the broader Punta Hermosa coast context, and this spot’s access can become more challenging as size increases. Wind-wise, the spot is associated with east conditions (including east-northeast/offshore references) and is often workable in a spring-to-early-fall window. Public surf guidance also identifies February as a best month, aligning with the idea that the coast’s seasonality can bring favorable surf and wind combinations. For planning, be prepared for an advanced, exposed reef environment and bring appropriate protective gear. Local tips emphasize checking the entry point for multiple sets before paddling out, and booties are strongly recommended due to the rocky bottom and sea urchins. Rescue/lifeguard presence is reported as none at the spot level, so treat this as an advanced, self-managed surf session.

  • Low tide is repeatedly identified as the best timing
  • East offshore wind improves wave cleanliness
  • Reef/urchin hazards require careful preparation
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Powerful reef surf with both lefts and rights reported
  • Best conditions consistently align with low tide and east offshore wind
  • Clean, groomed conditions when east winds are present
  • Convenient access from Lima with town amenities and repairs/rentals described in Punta Hermosa
Heads up
  • Advanced-level reef break with hazardous rocky entry and sea urchins
  • Strong currents/rips reported on larger swells
  • Spot is exposed and can be challenging to access when swell builds
  • No spot-level rescue/lifeguard coverage reported
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, SSE
Offshore directions
E
Wind Range
10–15 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Regionally dominated by south to south-southwest gradient winds; offshore conditions for this spot are described with east winds.
Reliability
medium
Gust Factor
Steady
Best Months
April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Rocks
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium
Launch
Small — Rocky entry requiring careful timing between sets.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Rocky entry; careful timing between sets is required.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–22 °C
Water Temperature
16–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Nov: 4/3mmDec–Apr: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Quieter than certain other Punta Hermosa breaks, but busy on weekends during summer.

Storm/Rain Season

Foggy/overcast garúa conditions are common from June to September (rainfall is generally minimal due to the coastal desert climate).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A small reef break in Punta Hermosa with limited publicly available surf data; works best at low tide with east-northeast/offshore winds. The spot is described as a powerful reef break that can produce both rights and lefts, with a stronger reputation for right-hand waves.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
S, SSW
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low — Sources consistently point to low tide as the best condition.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
East winds provide clean, groomed offshore conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can handle significant size but becomes more challenging to access.
Wave Quality
Good
Wave Power
Powerful
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Can offer sections for maneuvers depending on swell direction.
Ride Length Details
Sections for maneuvers can depend on swell direction.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) in the full forecast view.

El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–9 ktsGusts 20 kts
Direction
SSW199°
Strongest day
Fri, Oct 239 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.2–2.0 m10s period
Temperature
22–28 °C

Over the next 7 days, El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.2–2.0 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • Sea urchins
  • Strong rip currents typical during larger swells
  • Entry and exit timing hazards around sets
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBootsLeash

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No spot-level rescue availability reported.
Emergency Info
No spot-level rescue presence was found. Emergency/medical services are available via clinics in Punta Hermosa.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate

Rules of the spot

Follow standard surfing etiquette and respect the local lineup in Punta Hermosa.

Local Tips
  • Watch the entry point for several sets before attempting to paddle out.
  • Booties are highly recommended due to the rocky bottom and urchins.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Lima
Nearest Town
Punta Hermosa
Nearest Airport
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
Parking
General street parking in Punta Hermosa; limited direct access.
Public Transport
Frequent colectivos and buses from Lima’s southern hubs, plus private taxis
Access
Accessible via the town of Punta Hermosa; requires a walk over rocky terrain to reach the launch point.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Numerous surf hostels and guest houses are located in Punta Hermosa.
Food & Drink
Various restaurants and cafes within walking distance in the town center.
Equipment Rental:
Surf shops in Punta Hermosa offer board rentals.
Gear Storage
Many surf hostels and beach clubs provide secure board and gear storage.
Gear Repair
Local surfboard repair shops provide fiberglass and epoxy repair services.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Punta Hermosa is a surf-focused Lima-area coast with a competitive ocean sports culture and good visitor infrastructure.

Best time to visit: January to March for sun and atmosphere; May to August for larger, more consistent surf swells.
Punta Hermosa Boardwalk0 km

Scenic coastal walkway with panoramic views of surf breaks and the Pacific sunset.

Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary15 km

Major pre-Inca archaeological site with pyramids, temples, and a museum.

Big Wave Watching at Pico Alto1 km

Pico Alto is one of the largest waves in South America, drawing professional big-wave surfers during massive winter swells.

Local Cevicherias0 km

Famous for fresh seafood, especially traditional Peruvian ceviche made from the daily catch.

Playa El Silencio3 km

A large, popular beach with calmer waters than surf points, suited for swimming and family outings.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa)?

The best overall months at El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Which wind directions work at El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa)?

El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) works with E, SSE winds. Offshore directions are E.

What skill level is El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) suitable for?

El Paso 2 (Punta Hermosa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.