Ensenada (San Antonio)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ensenada (San Antonio) is described as a reliable beach-and-point surf spot south of Lima, shaped by a beach-and-point layout with a notable right-hand point section. Conditions are generally characterized as reasonably exposed, with the most dependable sessions coming when a solid southern swell connects and the wind is favorable. Wind is commonly associated with an east direction for the best surfing conditions, and east winds are specifically described as providing cleaner offshore conditions. Spot-level sources also flag low wind reliability, so it’s important to check real-time wind before planning to spend time at the point section. The break combines a point-break section with a beach-break component. While the point is known for consistency and a respectable ride when the swell lines up, larger swell can cause the beach-break section to close out. Wave quality is described as good, and the typical ride is medium length with a peeling wave shape and medium peel speed. Safety-wise, rocks are repeatedly identified as a primary hazard, especially along the point area at low tide, and moderate rip currents can be present near the point. Crowds can increase on weekends and during peak summer months, so arrival timing matters if you want a less congested lineup.
- Reliable beach-and-point break south of Lima
- Best swell direction: south
- Best wind direction: east (offshore cleaner conditions)
- Rocks and possible rip currents near the point
- Reliable beach-and-point break with a right-hand point section.
- Best swell direction is south and best wind direction is east (offshore cleaner conditions).
- Good ride length for intermediate surfers when the swell connects properly.
- Rocks are a key hazard, especially near the point (watch at low tide).
- Rip currents may occur near the point.
- Wind reliability is described as low at the spot level; weekends can get busy.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Type
- Gradient — East-to-gradient pattern is cited for the best surfing conditions; spot-level sources also suggest variable/low reliability.
- Reliability
- low
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: N, NE, NW · Regional pattern indicates an afternoon sea-breeze/gradient wind window developing during coast heating.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach entry; point requires navigating around rocky sections.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch involves sandy entry but the point section needs navigating around rocky sections.
Through the year
Can get quite busy on weekends and during the peak summer months.
Very little rainfall; coastal mist (garúa) is common in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A consistent right-hand beach-and-point setup known for reliability with southern swells; the point offers the best ride when swell connects.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, SSW
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/point exposure is referenced; conditions are best with offshore wind.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are described as providing clean offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but may close out on the beach-break section.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good and consistent when conditions line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Respectable ride length when the swell connects properly.
- Ride Length Details
- Point section provides a respectable ride length when the swell connects properly; larger swell may start to close out on the beach-break section.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ensenada (San Antonio) in the full forecast view.
Ensenada (San Antonio) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- SSW195°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2310 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ensenada (San Antonio) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.3–2.2 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
- Rip currents
- Exposed and submerged rocks along the point section
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence is indicated for the immediate spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability seasonally; no dedicated kite/windsurf rescue service is indicated nearby.
- Emergency Info
- National emergency numbers: 105 (Police) and 116 (Fire/Medical).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Spot is noted as popular with locals on weekends.
Rules of the spot
Rocks near the point (especially at low tide) and possible rip currents are key hazards. Check water conditions before committing to the point section.
- Watch for rocks at low tide near the point.
- Be prepared for crowds on weekends and during peak summer months.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Los Ángeles de San Antonio
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) about 90 km away
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the beach access
- Public Transport
- Highly accessible via long-distance buses and colectivos traveling south from Lima along the Panamericana Sur highway
- Access
- Accessible via the Panamericana Sur highway at approximately kilometer 80
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Hostels and rentals are available in the nearby town of San Antonio and Leon Dormido; regional context also places accommodation in San Antonio and nearby districts around Mala.
- Food & Drink
- Small shops and seasonal food stalls are available in the vicinity.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as limited locally.
- Gear Storage
- Not commonly available as a standalone service; usually provided only to students of local mobile schools.
- Gear Repair
- Not commonly available as a standalone service; major repairs typically require traveling to specialized workshops in Lima.
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 Ensenada (San Antonio)?
The best overall months at Ensenada (San Antonio) are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Ensenada (San Antonio)?
Ensenada (San Antonio) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Ensenada (San Antonio) suitable for?
Ensenada (San Antonio) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.