Makaha (Lima)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
BeginnersSurfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
15–22 °C
Water Temperature
15–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 3/2mmMay–Apr: 4/3mm
Crowds by Season

Highest crowds on summer weekends and during the winter when major swells hit; surf schools operate year-round.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain is very rare, but garúa/mist occurs June to October.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Reef break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBootsGlovesHoodLeashHarnessHelmetImpact vestKnife

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Changing rooms
Parking
Showers
Restaurant
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Miraflores combines modern urban life with deep-rooted surf culture along the Costa Verde corridor.

Best time to visit: January to March for the best beach weather; April to November for fewer crowds.
Larcomar0.5 km

Cliffside mall with panoramic ocean views.

Huaca Pucllana2.5 km

An adobe pyramid from the Lima culture (200–700 AD) in Miraflores.

Paragliding LimaClifftop launch ~80 m above shoreline / ~1.0 km (tandem flights)

Tandem flights launching from Miraflores clifftops (Parque Raimondi) overlooking the surf spots/Costa Verde.

Paragliding Miraflores1.0 km

Tandem flights launching from the cliffs of Parque Raimondi overlooking the surf spots.

Central2.0 km

Restaurant known for showcasing Peru’s diverse ecosystems and ingredients.

Parque del Amor0.8 km

A colorful mosaics/ sculptures park, popular for sunset viewing.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.