La Herradura (Lima)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Herradura (Lima) is an exposed left-hand point break known for powerful, fast, and hollow waves. The wave is described as peeling along the cliff base and splitting into three sections, which can connect into a longer ride on the biggest days. It’s a high-performance spot best approached by experienced surfers who can handle a strong lineup and variable conditions around takeoff and exit.
- World-class hollow fast point break (left-hand)
- Long ride potential (150–300m) when conditions are strong
- Best results typically require a solid southwest swell
- World-class left-hand point break with fast, hollow, powerful waves
- Long travel: short rides are possible, but on good days waves can run 150–300m
- Generally consistent surf conditions and dependable swell direction for the wave to work
- Not suitable for beginners; requires advanced/experienced skills
- Heavily localised lineup with priority rules enforced by regulars
- Cold water and pollution risk due to proximity to the city
- Sea urchins and rocks; strong currents reported for large swells
- Often crowded on weekends and when swell is running
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE
- Offshore directions
- ESE
- Wind Range
- 5–12 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Thermal/sea-breeze pattern reported for the area; offshore conditions for surf are typically from the southeast.
- Reliability
- low for wind sports; better for surfing when winds are light/offshore
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady; also described as varying wind quality for wind sports vs. surfing.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can create significant wind shadows close to shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Also described as mixed (sandy with rock).
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Starts working around 1.5m–2m and can hold up to 3m+; can reach larger sizes on solid swell.
- Launch
- Small — Entry/approach involves a walk along the cliff base or a small rocky beach near the parking area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Entry can be difficult due to rocky access and hazard density.
Through the year
Can be extremely crowded on weekends and whenever a good swell is running.
Rain is extremely rare (desert climate), but heavy coastal fog (garúa) is common from June to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Long left-hand point break with three sections (El Point / La Segunda / La Tercera as described by one source; El Pico / La Primera / La Segunda as described by another). Peels along a brown cliff base and can be world-class when a solid southwest swell arrives.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide favored by multiple sources; one source also describes all-tides as workable depending on conditions.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Works best in offshore winds from southeast; southeast winds groom the face, while northwest winds are onshore and reduce cleanliness.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to 3m+ (and can reach beyond 4m per secondary notes); needs a solid/sizable swell to start working and break well.
- Wave Quality
- World class
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically short (<50m) but can run long on good days (150–300m).
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Sections can connect on big days; normal length short (<50m) with good day length long (150–300m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Herradura (Lima) in the full forecast view.
La Herradura (Lima) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- S181°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 239 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Herradura (Lima) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is S. 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
- urchins
- rocks
- pollution
- heavy currents
- cliff walls
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported as seasonal. Rescue availability in the area described as limited.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; municipal lifeguards stationed at popular beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are located in the Chorrillos and Barranco districts of Lima. National emergency number: 105 (Police), 116 (Fire/Ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Heavy localism noted; be very respectful in the lineup.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local lineup; priority is enforced by regulars. Not suitable for beginners.
- Not suitable for beginners
- Not recommended for intermediate surfers when size is up
- Part of National Reef Registry (RENARO) since 2016 (protected wave)
- Watch out for urchins, rocks and pollution.
- The spot only 'wakes up' with a decent southwest swell; otherwise it may look flat.
- Booties are highly recommended for sea urchins/sharp rocks.
- Wait for a big swell for the well-worth waves; best around low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Chorrillos District
- Parking
- Parking available at the last beach south of the Regatta Club (security can be an issue; don’t leave valuables).
- Access
- Follow the 'Circuito de Playas' south from Lima city past Barranco and the Regatta Club. Parking available at the last beach; from there walk along under the headland for instant access (<5 min).
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rentals in nearby districts (e.g., Barranco and Miraflores).
- Food & Drink
- Several seafood restaurants (cevicherías) are located along the beach, though some are seasonal.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is limited at the spot itself; most rentals are located further north in Miraflores.
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 La Herradura (Lima)?
The best overall months at La Herradura (Lima) are May, June, July, August. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at La Herradura (Lima)?
La Herradura (Lima) works with ESE winds. Offshore directions are ESE.
What skill level is La Herradura (Lima) suitable for?
La Herradura (Lima) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.