Pena Rosa (Punta Negra)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Big waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Peña Rosa (also known locally as Penascal) at Punta Negra is an exposed point-break area with very consistent surf, breaking over a treacherous boulder and rock bottom. Waves are widely described as hollow, fast, and powerful, with the right/left wave direction described across references; conditions are typically best when a southwest swell lines up with offshore east-wind directions. The spot is primarily for experienced surfers due to persistent hazards in the lineup. Reports specifically warn about rocks/boulders and strong rip currents, noting that the break can occur in front of a wall of rocks—making it dangerous if you’re caught. Priority at the main take-off zones is emphasized, and you should only paddle out if you’re comfortable in heavy conditions. Wave working ranges are described as starting around roughly 1.5–2 m and holding up to 4 m+ (with variations by reference), and low tide is generally cited as optimal. Ride lengths are commonly described as long—about 150 to 300 m on good days—with bigger sets expected to hold size. Access guidance depends on which of the two take-off lines you’re targeting: one approach is via San Bartolo (Playa Norte/los muelles) for the right-side point break, while another is via Santa Rosa, parking as far south as possible and walking past the dry river-bed and “El Huayco” to the first point.
- Hollow, fast, powerful point-break waves breaking over boulders/rocks
- Long rides on good days (up to ~300 m reported)
- Rarely crowded, especially on weekdays
- Very consistent, exposed point-break surf.
- Hollow, fast, and powerful waves with long rides on good days.
- Often rarely crowded (weekday reports empty; weekend few surfers).
- Serious hazards: rocks/boulders and strong rips/currents.
- Wind reliability reported as low; thermal effects may be cross-shore or blown out.
- Rescue availability reported as no (with limited regional rescue services).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, E, NE
- Offshore directions
- SE, E, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea breezes are common, but often cross-shore or can be blown out for surfing.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The point offers some shelter from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Big waves
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Reported from small-to-big across references; big-wave behavior described for Penascal/Peña Rosa sector.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry requiring careful timing with sets.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Launch described as difficult; rocky entry requires careful timing.
Through the year
Rarely crowded on weekdays; some locals on weekends.
Foggy and overcast during winter months (June–October).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point-break stretch with very consistent surf. Waves are described as hollow, fast, and powerful, breaking over a treacherous boulder/rock bottom; conditions are best with southwest swells combined with offshore east winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S, WSW, NW, W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Optimal tide reported as low.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- East winds provide clean offshore conditions; offshore wind is associated with better surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to 4 meters (and 4 m+ reported).
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Quality described as good to excellent depending on the reference.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, hollow, fast waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow profile reported for the point breaks over boulder bottom.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Good day length reported as long; also described as up to ~300 m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Good day length long (about 150 to 300 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) in the full forecast view.
Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SSW200°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.1 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) 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 1.2–2.1 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
- Strong rip currents
- Sharp rocks
- Large boulders
- Heavy power
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level rescue availability reported as none; regional baseline indicates limited rescue services.
- Emergency Info
- Medical facilities are available in San Bartolo or Lima.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Priority is strictly observed at the main take-off zones.
- Do not paddle out unless comfortable in heavy conditions.
- Beware of rocks and rips; do not paddle out unless comfortable in heavy conditions.
- Breaking occurs in front of a wall of rocks—dangerous if you get caught.
- Access Pena Rosa via walking from the Santa Rosa settlement; for the Pena Rosa/entry plan, park in Santa Rosa as far south as possible and walk past the dry river-bed and 'El Huayco' to the first point.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Punta Negra
- Nearest Town
- Lima
- Parking
- Limited parking in nearby residential settlements; for Pena Rosa, park as far south as possible in the settlement of Santa Rosa.
- Access
- From San Bartolo - Playa Norte (los muelles), paddle out and to the obvious point break on the north (right) side of the bay; alternatively, access via the settlement of Santa Rosa and park as far south as possible, then walk south past the dry river-bed and 'El Huayco' to the first point.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hostels and rentals available in San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and cafes in San Bartolo town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available in neighboring San Bartolo or Punta Hermosa.
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 Pena Rosa (Punta Negra)?
The best overall months at Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) are January, February, March, December. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Pena Rosa (Punta Negra)?
Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) works with SE, E, NE winds. Offshore directions are SE, E, NE.
What skill level is Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) suitable for?
Pena Rosa (Punta Negra) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.