La Tiza (Pucusana)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Tiza (Pucusana) is a short, fast beach-break in the Pucusana area that is described as world-class for surfing. The wave is typically less than 50 meters in length, with power and speed that can deliver tubes and maneuvers when conditions are right. The spot is most reliably surfable with north swell and on high tide (rising tide only). Reported working swell starts at less than about 1m and can hold up to around 2.5m+ / 8ft+, though very large swell may close out if it arrives from an unfavorable angle. A major factor is access and safety: La Tiza is on military-controlled territory, with land access restricted to Peruvian army personnel or permit holders. For most surfers, entry is by boat only, and low-tide flats are something to avoid. Hazards include rocks and pollution, and localism has been reported. Because access is difficult and mostly boat-based, the spot is commonly empty or very lightly crowded. Winds are reported with west/east directions; one dataset describes an east wind regime as offering offshore grooming, but overall wind reliability is noted as low and cliff-induced wind shadows can occur.
- World-class beach-break quality
- High tide only (rising tide) for the best wave position
- Short, fast rides with potential for tubes
- Usually empty/low crowds due to boat-only access
- World-class surf quality when conditions align.
- Fast beach-break with high potential for maneuvers and tubes.
- Typically uncrowded due to difficult access.
- Works across a swell range starting under 1m and holding to about 2.5m+.
- Military-restricted access: landing by land is almost impossible; you must go by boat.
- Short rides and fast, intense wave behavior mean less margin for error.
- Rocks at/near the beach and pollution risk.
- Wind reliability can be low and wind shadows can occur from cliffs.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — West/east wind regime reported for the spot; regional pattern is south-to-southwest gradient winds with possible summer sea-breeze support (spot wind reliability reported as low in one dataset).
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can cause wind shadows
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small overall size reported, with swell that can grow to about 2.5m+.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow beach launch with nearby rocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult access/launch due to military restrictions and a narrow beach with rocks.
Through the year
Usually empty or low crowd due to the difficulty of access.
Arid climate with almost no rain; morning fog is common in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Short, fast beach-break known for power and consistency when the right north swell and high tide line up; tubes and maneuvers are possible.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N
- Swell Height
- 0.6–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide only; rising tide preferred.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered
- Wind Effect
- East wind is described as providing offshore grooming to the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to about 2.5m+ / 8ft+; may close out if swell is too large or from an unfavorable angle.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Reported as world class / excellent in multiple datasets.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Some descriptions also characterize the wave as hollow; shape can vary with swell.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Short ride typically under 50 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Less than 50 meters reported; one dataset cites 30–50m typical ride length.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Tiza (Pucusana) in the full forecast view.
La Tiza (Pucusana) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SSW198°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.1 m10s period
- Temperature
- 21–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Tiza (Pucusana) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.3–2.1 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
- Pollution
- Localism
- Strong rip currents possible during large swells
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Pucusana or Chilca.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism reported; one dataset characterizes it as mild while another characterizes it as moderate.
Rules of the spot
Military territory with restricted land access; arrival is by boat only. High tide is required for the proper wave position.
- Military access only by land (general public access restricted).
- Public access restricted to arrival by boat.
- Military beach restriction
- Only accessible by boat (landing by land is almost impossible on this military beach).
- Avoid low-tide flats.
- Best tide position is high tide only (rising tide).
- North swells are essential for the wave to work properly.
- A reliable access option mentioned is hiring a boat from nearby beaches.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Pucusana
- Parking
- No public parking; land access is via a military gate.
- Access
- Access by land is restricted to members of the Peruvian Army or those with special permits; general surfers must arrive by boat.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Private beach houses and rentals in the Pucusana area.
- Food & Drink
- None on the beach; services are available in the town of Pucusana.
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 Tiza (Pucusana)?
The best overall months at La Tiza (Pucusana) are June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at La Tiza (Pucusana)?
La Tiza (Pucusana) works with W, E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is La Tiza (Pucusana) suitable for?
La Tiza (Pucusana) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.