Makaha (Lima)
- Beginners, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Makaha (Playa Makaha) in Miraflores is described as a primary beginner surf destination with a consistent, forgiving reef/point-style setup. Waves are repeatedly characterized as soft and manageable for first-timers and longboarders, with typical wave behavior described as right and left options and a focus on learner-friendly conditions. The bottom and entry/impact zone are hazardous: providers mention rocks and/or dense rounded pebbles (cantos rodados), so foot protection and careful navigation are important. Crowding is also a recurring theme—many learners and schools concentrate at the same area—so collisions are a practical risk, especially around the peak. Water quality is variable; pollution concerns are specifically called out, and one guide notes it can worsen after heavy rain. Wind conditions are more complex than the surf. One provider emphasizes steady wind and highlights offshore potential from ENE, while another describes different wind directions (S/SE/SW) and calls reliability low, also noting that afternoon sea-breeze effects can increase choppiness. Separately, the Miraflores cliffs can create significant wind shadows, which makes wind-powered sports less straightforward even when surf is good. Operationally, the spot is closely tied to Miraflores: there are toilets, changing rooms, and access from the Costa Verde corridor with short walks/stair access from the Malecón area. Surf schools commonly provide rentals, and the seasonal water/cold guidance supports using a wetsuit year-round—one provider recommends 3/2mm in summer (December–April) and 4/3mm in cooler months (May–November), with early mornings often giving the cleanest conditions before afternoon breeze.
- Beginner-focused consistent surf year-round
- Rock/rounded-stone bottom with clear entry/impact-zone hazards
- Miraflores access with many surf instruction options and beach-level amenities
- Year-round beginner-friendly, consistent, soft waves
- Convenient Miraflores access with dense surf-instruction ecosystem
- Works across tides per one provider; early morning tends to be cleaner before afternoon breeze
- Water quality can be polluted/variable, especially after heavy rains
- Rock/pebble hazards and crowded beginner sessions raise collision risk
- Wind is inconsistent for wind-powered sports due to cliff wind shadows; spot wind directions conflict across sources
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ENE, NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- ENE
- Wind Range
- 5–12 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal/sea-breeze influenced conditions are common on the Miraflores coast; spot-level sources conflict on dominant direction.
- Reliability
- very consistent (conflicts with other provider listing low reliability)
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady winds in at least one guide.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Miraflores cliffs can create significant wind shadows for wind-powered sports.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Conflicting composition details: one provider says sand; another describes pebble/rounded stones.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small, soft waves are consistently described across providers.
- Chop Level
- Afternoon sea breezes can make conditions choppy per one provider.
- Launch
- Small — Shore launch from a sandy/pebble beach with easy access per guides; entries/exits are mostly over rounded stones.
Through the year
Highest crowds on summer weekends and during the winter when major swells hit; surf schools operate year-round.
Rain is very rare, but garúa/mist occurs June to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef/point-style beginner break with consistent, forgiving waves year-round. Breaks are described as right/left accessible but with soft, learner-friendly character; bottom is pebble/reef with rounded stones in the impact zone.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One provider lists all-tides as workable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reported as exposed, with Miraflores cliffs affecting shelter/wind behavior.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds from ENE per one guide; afternoon sea breezes can make conditions choppy in other guidance.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and difficult to paddle out when swell exceeds about 2 meters; waves tend to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good/average across providers.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Consistently described as soft/forgiving waves for learning.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Providers differ: one describes peeling; another describes mushy.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Mushy/soft waves with slow peeling motion per provider descriptions.
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides typically short to medium for beginners due to shallow/pebble sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are often short to medium, ending as waves reach shallower/pebble sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Makaha (Lima) in the full forecast view.
Makaha (Lima) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–9 ktsGusts 20 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, Makaha (Lima) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 20 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
- Rocks/rounded stones in the water
- Polluted water (especially after heavy rain)
- Crowded conditions / beginner collisions
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal for the seasonality around the coast.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited; municipal lifeguards are generally stationed at popular beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in Miraflores above the cliffs. Regional emergency number: 105 (Police), 116 (Fire/Ambulance).
Rules of the spot
Designated beginner area; respect the priority of the person closest to the peak. Crowding can occur at times.
- Be aware of pollution—water quality can vary and may worsen after heavy rains.
- Rocks/rounded pebbles are present in the impact zone; wear appropriate foot protection and watch your footing during entry/exit.
- Aim for early morning for cleaner conditions before the afternoon breeze can increase choppiness.
- Use the designated beginner area and follow surf-school guidance on who has priority at the peak.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Miraflores (district within Lima)
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
- Parking
- Public parking is available along the Costa Verde road, though it fills 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.
- Access
- Accessible via the Circuito de Playas (Costa Verde) highway; pedestrian access is available via stairs from the Miraflores boardwalk (Malecón).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and hostels in Miraflores, within walking distance of the cliffs.
- Food & Drink
- Small kiosks and some restaurants at beach level; additional options throughout Miraflores. One guide highlights an iconic nearby pier restaurant.
- Equipment Rental:
- Board and wetsuit rental available; one guide lists full-day rentals around 40 soles.
- Gear Storage
- Some surf schools provide lockers or storage for clients.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs via local workshops in Miraflores.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Miraflores combines modern urban life with deep-rooted surf culture along the Costa Verde corridor.
Cliffside mall with panoramic ocean views.
An adobe pyramid from the Lima culture (200–700 AD) in 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.
Restaurant known for showcasing Peru’s diverse ecosystems and ingredients.
A colorful mosaics/ sculptures park, popular for sunset viewing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Makaha (Lima)?
The best overall months at Makaha (Lima) are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Makaha (Lima)?
Makaha (Lima) works with ENE, NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are ENE.
What skill level is Makaha (Lima) suitable for?
Makaha (Lima) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.