Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kon Tiki is a high-intensity reef break in Punta Hermosa that produces hollow, fast, powerful waves with A-frame peaks. The wave works from around 2 to 2.5 meters and can hold up to 4 meters and above, making it a classic destination for experienced surfers seeking challenging power. Sessions are typically centered on the outer reef/bombora-style takeoff, with a long paddle required from Punta Hermosa (often 500+ meters) to reach the peak, and it can take well over 20 minutes. Alternative access may be possible via boat assistance on the largest days, or by using special jump-in access described around the nearby causeway/rocky island area. Wind matters for wave quality: SE and East winds are described as optimal to keep the surface cleaner, and very light wind (around under 4 km/h) can produce especially glassy conditions. The break is exposed and works with NW to West to Southwest swell directions, with optimal swell height described across a 2 to 6 meter range. Safety is a key constraint here. The spot has significant hazards including rocks, reef, sharp rocks, and seabed life such as urchins and barnacles, along with strong currents and the added risk of dehydration or fatigue during long sessions. With no lifeguards and rescue described as unavailable, surfers should plan conservatively, use appropriate protective gear (including boots and helmet/impact protection as described), and follow big-wave etiquette with priority given to the deepest riders on the peak.
- Works at 2–2.5 m and can hold 4 m+
- Hollow, fast, powerful A-frame peaks
- Both right and left rides
- Best wind directions: SouthEast, East, NorthEast
- Iconic, powerful hollow reef break with fast peel and both right and left rides
- Reliable big-wave potential when swell is at least ~2 meters; holds up to 4 m+
- Offshore SE/E wind directions can keep waves clean (glassy in very light wind)
- High hazards from rocks/reef and a long, difficult entry (often a 500+ m paddle)
- Strong currents and risk of fatigue on longer sessions
- Reserved for expert-level surfers due to fast, hollow power and big-wave potential
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, E, NE
- Offshore directions
- SE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Best wind directions are SouthEast, East, and NorthEast; when conditions are glassy (very light), the surf can be clean.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Conflicting descriptions exist: some sources describe flat rocks with sand.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Starts working at 2–2.5 m; holds up to 4 m+.
- Launch
- No shore launch; long paddle out (500+m) to the peak between La Isla (north) and Punta Rocas (south). Possible alternative is to paddle from the north side of Punta Rocas or use special causeway access to reduce distance.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Long paddle out and outer reef access.
Through the year
Usually uncrowded due to difficulty of access and wave size; few surfers on weekdays, slightly more on weekends.
Very dry desert climate; rare rainfall. (Mist/fog is common seasonally.)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Iconic big-wave reef break producing hollow, fast, powerful waves with right and left rides. Works on outer reef/bombora-type peaks and starts around 2–2.5 m, holding up to 4 m+.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, SW
- Swell Height
- 2–6 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides; best described as working on both rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Outer reef point/bombora setup exposed to open-ocean swell.
- Wind Effect
- Glassy conditions (under about 4 km/h from any direction) help keep the wave clean; SE/E winds are optimal, while strong onshore wind can become hazardous and choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds extreme size well; dangerous for inexperienced surfers and becomes a true big-wave spot at 4 meters and above.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Hollow, fast, powerful reef break with powerful A-frame peaks; becomes a true big-wave spot around 4 meters and above.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short on average sessions (< 50 m), with longer rides possible on good days (~150–300 m).
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically < 50 m normal; can run 150–300 m on good organized swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) in the full forecast view.
Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- SSW199°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2310 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 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.
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
- sharp rocks
- urchins
- barnacles
- strong currents
- long paddle distance
- dehydration or fatigue during long sessions
- large waves
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Etiquette-oriented local priority on the peak; difficulty and access also keep crowds light.
Rules of the spot
Experienced surfers only; big-wave etiquette with priority given to those deepest on the peak.
- Experienced surfers only
- Avoid if you are not prepared for reef hazards and strong currents
- Long paddle out (500+ m) and it can take over 20 minutes; consider boat/jet ski assist on very large days.
- Only begins to work when waves are over about 2 meters.
- Wear booties for sharp rocks and urchins; the seabed is rocky and can include barnacles.
- Rescue availability is no; plan conservatively for long sessions and fatigue.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Punta Hermosa
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous surf hostels, hotels, and vacation rentals in Punta Hermosa.
- Food & Drink
- Many cafes and restaurants are located within walking distance of the beach in Punta Hermosa.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available in Punta Hermosa/within town area.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Local surfboard repair services are available in Punta Hermosa.
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 Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa)?
The best overall months at Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) are March, April, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa)?
Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) works with SE, E, NE winds. Offshore directions are SE, E.
What skill level is Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) suitable for?
Kon Tiki (Punta Hermosa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.