Las Orishas (Lima)
- Freestyle, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Orishas is a punchy reef-rocky surfing break in the Miraflores area of Lima that’s characterized by fast, ledgey, and often hollow waves. It tends to start working at under 1 meter and can hold up to around 2 meters and beyond, giving it reliable performance for reef surf when conditions line up. The bottom is reef with sharp rocks and frequent sea urchins, and entry/exit can be technical due to the rocky shoreline. Because water quality is impacted by urban runoff, conditions can be worse after heavy rainfall; it’s specifically advised to avoid surfing for 48 hours after heavy rains. Expect the peak to see more surfers on weekends, while weekdays are generally quieter. From a wind perspective, winds are typically thermal/sea-breeze driven, with the more favorable timing in summer associated with afternoon strengthening (midday to late afternoon). South-East winds are noted as best/offshore for this part of the coast, though wind shadows very close to shore can occur due to nearby cliffs. For wave selection, it’s described as a hollow reef-break with good quality, short but intense rides (typically under 50 meters), with the possibility of longer runs on exceptional days. The best tide position is given as mid and high tide, including rising and falling tides, and rescue availability is described as limited with seasonal lifeguards.
- Fast, often hollow reef-rocky waves
- Good wave quality and ledgy, powerful feel
- Short but intense rides, occasionally longer on exceptional days
- Fast, hollow, ledgey reef-rocky surfing with punchy character
- Works on a wide swell range, starting at below 1 m and holding to 2 m+
- Good location within the city with straightforward access logistics
- Rocky/reef bottom with abundant sea urchins and sharp rocks
- Water quality can be affected by pollution after heavy rains
- Crowds can be high on weekends
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, S
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze/thermal-driven winds; afternoon sea breezes are common but generally light.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- The high cliffs of Miraflores can create wind shadows very close to the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline / stones at launch area.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Swell starts working at less than 1 m and can hold up to 2 m+; described working window around 0.5–2.0 m.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline; careful entry required due to stones and sea urchins.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky shoreline requiring careful entry due to stones and sea urchins.
Through the year
Weekends are crowded year-round due to proximity to the city center; weekdays are significantly quieter.
Rain is rare in Lima, but high humidity and fog (garúa) are common from June to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A punchy reef-rocky break with an often hollow, fast, and ledgey feel. It’s more technical/ledgy and faster than nearby longboard-oriented options, making it popular with shortboarders.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, S
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High, All tides — Best tide position described as mid and high tide, including rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Works best with light South-East winds which are offshore for this part of the coast.
- Bigger Swell
- Maintains its shape well up to 2 meters, becoming more powerful and ledgey.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Hollow, fast, and ledgey; often punchy reef-rocky with intense rides.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Typical rides are short (< 50 m) but can extend to ~150 m on exceptional days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Standard rides typically under 50 meters; can reach about 150 meters on exceptional days with the right swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Orishas (Lima) in the full forecast view.
Las Orishas (Lima) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–9 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- S183°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.3 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Las Orishas (Lima) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.3–2.3 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
- Sea urchins
- Sharp rocks
- Water pollution
- Reef
- Crowds at peak times
- Coral
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; municipal lifeguards (Salvavidas) are stationed at popular beaches and the coast is monitored.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in the Miraflores and San Isidro districts, approximately 10–15 minutes away.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local surfers who frequent this peak.
- Booties are highly recommended to protect against the rocky bottom and abundant sea urchins.
- Avoid surfing for 48 hours after heavy rains due to increased pollution levels from urban runoff.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Lima
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), approximately 18–22 km away.
- Parking
- Public parking lots are available along the coastal road, though they can fill up quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Metropolitano bus system and frequent taxis/rideshares; beach access requires descending the cliffs via specific ramps.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and hostels are located in the Miraflores district directly above the cliffs.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and snack bars are located along the boardwalk and nearby at the larger beaches like Makaha.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at nearby surfing beaches of Waikiki and Makaha, a short walk away.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can be found at surf shops in the Miraflores district above the beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Miraflores area blends modern urban life with deep-rooted surf culture and is known for its Costa Verde corridor and beach park system.
An upscale shopping mall built into the cliffs with panoramic ocean views.
A Great Adobe Pyramid from the Lima Culture (200–700 AD) located in the heart of Miraflores.
Tandem flights launching from Miraflores clifftops (Parque Raimondi) overlooking the surf spots/Costa Verde.
Tandem flights launching from the cliffs of Parque Raimondi overlooking the surf spots.
World-renowned restaurant showcasing Peru's diverse altitudes and ecosystems.
A colorful park featuring mosaics and sculptures, perfect for walking and sunset viewing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Las Orishas (Lima)?
The best overall months at Las Orishas (Lima) are December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Las Orishas (Lima)?
Las Orishas (Lima) works with SE, S winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is Las Orishas (Lima) suitable for?
Las Orishas (Lima) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.