Las Gramas (Casma)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Las Gramas is an exposed sandbar break near Casma, known for very consistent surf. The break can produce peeling sections and is described as working both left and right depending on sandbar setup, with a generally good wave face when the swell lines up. Surf performance is reported as best with south to southwest swells. The spot can hold size well, but as swell increases it can become harder to paddle out during heavy sets, and conditions near the main peak may bring strong rip currents. Closeouts are also a recurring hazard to plan around. Timing-wise, sources highlight strong winter surf season, with April through October repeatedly described as the most consistent period. Separate guidance also notes March as a clean month, and crowd expectations are typically highest when the swell and wind conditions are good. For safety, rips/strong rip currents and closeouts are the key concerns at this exposed sandbar. Intermediate surfers are the most consistently matched level, and it’s recommended to check Casma-area swell and wind forecasts closely before committing. Medical services are available in Casma, but there are no dedicated water-sports rescue services described.
- Very consistent exposed sandbar surfing
- Peeling, fast sections with good quality reports
- Rides often range around 50–150 meters depending on sandbar configuration
- South to southwest swells align best
- Strong rip-current risk and closeout potential
- Exposed sandbar break with very consistent surf
- Can offer rides around 50–150 meters depending on sandbar configuration
- Works best with south to southwest swells
- Good/peeling wave character reported for intermediate surfers
- Cold, generally clean water year-round (Humboldt Current influence)
- Exposed location and remote feel
- Rip currents are common near the main peak and during larger swells
- Closeouts can occur
- Often crowded when conditions are good
- Limited beach-side food options
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, SE, SSE
- Offshore directions
- ESE, SE
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Coastal gradient/south-southwest gradient wind with day-time sea-breeze influence noted for the Casma coastal area.
- Reliability
- very consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Thermal/sea-breeze/gradient effects are common during the day; a thermal window is indicated from about 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM for the Casma coastal area.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Surf spot descriptions commonly reference medium waves; one source specifies working swell height of about 1.0–2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch suitable for surfing; break is exposed and sandbar-based.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty is noted; exposed sandbar access conditions can vary.
Through the year
Often crowded when conditions are good; can be crowded on weekends or when swell is particularly good.
Extremely arid; rain is rare (sea mist 'Garúa' common in winter).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed sandbar break near Casma with very consistent surf that can work at different tide stages. Left/right behavior is reported; expect a left-hand component and potentially both directions depending on sandbar configuration.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Some guidance also suggests mid tide can work well.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore from east-southeast is best; south or southeast can be cross-offshore or side-shore, often keeping the face clean.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become difficult to paddle out during heavy sets.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often described as good quality when swells line up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Providers describe the break as very consistent; one notes very consistent surf and another describes powerful peeling sections.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling sections are repeatedly noted.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides commonly fall in the 50–150 m range depending on sandbar configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- About 50–150 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Gramas (Casma) in the full forecast view.
Las Gramas (Casma) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–13 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- SSW192°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Las Gramas (Casma) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.1–1.7 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
- rips
- rip currents
- closeouts
- powerful waves
- remote/exposed conditions
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in the town of Casma.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local priorities.
- Beware of rips and closeouts.
- Check the swell and wind forecasts specifically for the Casma area given the exposed nature of the break.
- The area is remote/exposed; plan access and conditions carefully.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Casma
- Nearest Town
- Casma
- Nearest Airport
- Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport (TRU), Trujillo (~185 km). Also noted: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), Lima (~320 km).
- Parking
- Informal parking available near the beach area.
- Public Transport
- Primarily long-distance buses along the Pan-American Highway and local 'colectivos' from Casma city.
- Access
- Access involves driving south from Casma; the path to the beach can be sandy and may require a vehicle with good clearance.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hostels and basic hotels are available in the town of Casma.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options at the beach; most visitors bring their own supplies or eat in Casma.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental described as very limited; most visitors bring their own surf equipment and there are no large-scale rental centers.
- Gear Storage
- Generally unavailable except through private arrangements with local beach clubs or hotels.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair is available in Casma; specialized kite/wing foil repair requires travel to Lima or Trujillo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
An ancient stone temple featuring remarkable bas-relief carvings of warriors and captives.
The oldest solar observatory in the Americas, consisting of thirteen towers on a ridge.
Surrounding desert dunes offer sandboarding and off-road exploration options.
Known as the 'City of the Eternal Sun,' it offers numerous cevicherías and traditional Peruvian eateries.
A calm, picturesque bay ideal for swimming, boat tours, and family dining.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Las Gramas (Casma)?
The best overall months at Las Gramas (Casma) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Las Gramas (Casma)?
Las Gramas (Casma) works with ESE, SE, SSE winds. Offshore directions are ESE, SE.
What skill level is Las Gramas (Casma) suitable for?
Las Gramas (Casma) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.