La Timba (Punta Hermosa)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Timba is a challenging exposed reef break in the Punta Hermosa area, best suited to advanced surfers. It’s described as fast and powerful, with steep take-offs and shallow sections over the reef, so a solid swell is needed to make the wave work correctly. When conditions are right, it offers an intense right-hand ride focused on the wall and reef section. The spot is also specifically noted for hazards around the reef: sharp rock features and sea urchins (erizos/urchins). Booties are presented as almost mandatory to reduce the risk of injury. Currents can be strong near the reef and point, and the entry is rocky and requires careful timing between sets. For timing and conditions, the spot is generally associated with a best swell direction from the southwest, and a working swell window roughly around 1.5–3.0 meters is cited. February is listed as the best month in one spot guide, while other data point to summer months (December through March) as the period when winds are more supportive for general conditions. Onshore/offshore wind effects matter for quality: surfing conditions are described as best with light offshore winds from the east or northeast. Because the reef can become very shallow as the tide drops, planning to exit before the tide gets too low is advised.
- Fast, powerful right-hand reef break
- Hazardous reef with sea urchins—booties strongly recommended
- Best swell direction generally from the southwest
- Exposed reef break known to be a reliable option when conditions align
- Powerful, steep right-hand wall and intense ride for advanced surfers
- Generally clean water quality in the broader area
- Difficult reef entry and shallow reef sections over rocks
- Sea urchins on the reef; booties strongly recommended
- Often fast and intense with strong currents near the reef/point
- Not beginner-friendly; best with experienced, solid swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE, E
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE
- Wind Range
- 10–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence typical in summer; wind direction varies across S to E sectors depending on regime.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr · Dir: S, SSW, SSE, SW · Afternoon thermal influence is strongest in the January–April period, commonly roughly 1:00 PM–5:00 PM.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Cited as medium; can become very heavy on major southwest swells.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry point requiring careful timing between sets.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult rocky entry and timing between sets required.
Through the year
Can be crowded on weekends and during peak summer months due to proximity to Lima.
Rain is typically low; coastal fog (garúa) occurs from June to October (and mist/fog generally noted April–October).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fast, powerful right-hand reef break with steep take-offs and shallow sections over the reef; needs a solid swell to work correctly.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore winds from the east or northeast; winds can vary due to shifting directions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become very heavy and expert-only during major southwest swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Relatively short but intense, focused on the initial wall and reef section.
- Ride Length Details
- The ride is relatively short but intense, focused on the initial wall and reef section.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Timba (Punta Hermosa) in the full forecast view.
La Timba (Punta Hermosa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SSW196°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Timba (Punta Hermosa) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 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
- Sharp reef
- Sea urchins (urchins/erizos)
- Strong rip currents can occur near the reef and point
- Submerged rocks
- Exposed rocks and shallow reef sections
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Formal rescue services provided by Peruvian National Police (Unidad de Salvataje) and Navy (DICAPI), with increased presence during summer peak season.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency numbers: 105 for police and 116 for fire/medical.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism; the spot is known among local surfers and may be overlooked by some visitors.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup in this concentrated surf zone.
- Booties are highly recommended due to the abundance of sea urchins on the reef.
- Exit the water before the tide gets too low to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Punta Hermosa
- Nearest Town
- Punta Hermosa
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
- Parking
- Limited parking available in the nearby streets of Punta Hermosa.
- Public Transport
- Frequent colectivos and buses from Lima’s southern hubs (e.g., Atocongo or Benavides), plus private taxis
- Access
- Accessible via the Panamericana Sur highway; follow signs to Punta Hermosa and local beach access roads.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — High density of surf hostels, boutique hotels, and beachfront apartments in Punta Hermosa and the wider area near Lima.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes located within walking distance in the town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available in Punta Hermosa at various surf shops; specialized kite/windsurf rental is less common than in Paracas.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Available at local surf shops in Punta Hermosa.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Punta Hermosa Coast is a wind- and surf-focused coastal area near Lima with dry conditions punctuated by coastal mist/fog (garúa) in the cooler months.
Scenic coastal walkway with panoramic views of surf breaks and the Pacific sunset.
Major pre-Inca archaeological site with pyramids, temples, and a museum.
Pico Alto is one of the largest waves in South America, drawing professional big-wave surfers during massive winter swells.
A large popular beach with calmer waters than surf points, suited for swimming and family outings.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at La Timba (Punta Hermosa)?
The best overall months at La Timba (Punta Hermosa) are January, February, March, August, May, June, July, September. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at La Timba (Punta Hermosa)?
La Timba (Punta Hermosa) works with S, SSE, E winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE.
What skill level is La Timba (Punta Hermosa) suitable for?
La Timba (Punta Hermosa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.