Puerto Caballas
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Puerto Caballas is an exposed point break in the Ica region with consistent surf, best when northeast winds align with southwest swells. Reports describe it as a long left-hand point break, with good wave quality when the wind is favorable and when sections connect. The spot is rugged and hazard-prone: rocks and submerged reefs are central to the character of the break, and current conditions can be challenging (strong longshore drift has been reported). The launch area can include sandy sections between rocky outcrops, but the overall environment remains exposed and difficult—both from the coastline and in the water. Wind conditions are a key part of planning. February is highlighted as the best month, with typical wind described as roughly 15–25 knots and a high wind reliability rating. One provider notes a strong afternoon sea-breeze/thermal build (with a 12:00–18:00 window), which can quickly degrade surf quality; early morning sessions are therefore recommended. Access and safety are the biggest constraints. The area is described as extremely difficult to reach, requiring high-clearance 4x4 travel and experience in desert driving, with very limited emergency support and no cell service noted. Local tips emphasize traveling with multiple 4x4 vehicles, bringing all supplies, and surfing early before the afternoon wind increases.
- Consistent exposed point break with long left-hand rides.
- Best month reported as February; best wind direction northeast; best swell direction southwest.
- Rock hazards with very exposed, remote desert setting.
- Exposed point break with consistent surf.
- Works best with northeast winds and southwest swells.
- Long, quality left-hand point break when conditions align.
- Extremely remote and exposed (desert access; no services nearby).
- Rock hazards and submerged reefs.
- Wind can strongly affect wave quality; early sessions are important.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Provider data describes a mixed wind pattern; surf-forecast identifies the best wind direction as northeast.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Provider data notes moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- February
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed composition reported by one provider; other data lists rocks.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size reported as medium.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop can increase when afternoon winds build and with southerly wind sensitivity described for the break.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy sections between rocky outcrops.
Through the year
Always low due to extreme difficulty of access.
Very rare rainfall; desert climate.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily a surf spot, but consistent regional wind can make it possible for advanced wave kiting; rocky environment and remoteness require extreme caution.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Suitable for advanced wave windsurfing when swell and wind align; very exposed and lacks support infrastructure.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Possible for experienced riders, but rocky bottom and powerful swell make launching difficult.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions reported as limited.
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Exposed point break in the Ica region with consistent surf; best with southwest swells and northeast winds. Reports describe a long left-hand point break that can be very windy later in the day.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Tide preference reported as all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Highly sensitive: strong winds can blow the wave out and make conditions choppy; early morning is often most productive.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles size well; becomes more powerful and challenging as the swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Long left-hand point break with peeling shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave character reported.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides when sections connect on a solid swell.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer very long rides when sections connect on a solid swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Puerto Caballas in the full forecast view.
Puerto Caballas wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–21 ktsGusts 32 kts
- Direction
- SSW196°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2421 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 21–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Puerto Caballas is forecast for daytime winds of 3–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 32 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.1–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. 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 longshore drift
- Submerged reefs
- Extreme isolation
- No cell service
- Desert environment
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue support reported at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Nazca or Ica, several hours away across desert tracks.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues reported.
Rules of the spot
General self-sufficiency/desert survival practices apply due to extreme isolation; no specific local rules were reported.
- Travel in a group with at least two 4x4 vehicles.
- Bring all necessary water, food, and fuel as there are no services nearby.
- Surf early in the morning before the strong winds arrive.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ica
- Nearest Town
- Nazca
- Parking
- Informal parking on the sand dunes or beach flats.
- Access
- Extremely difficult access requiring a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle and experience in desert driving.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping only; no formal hotels within the immediate vicinity (spot-level report).
- Food & Drink
- None reported; must bring all supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available at the spot.
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 Puerto Caballas?
The best overall months at Puerto Caballas are February.
Which wind directions work at Puerto Caballas?
Puerto Caballas works with NE winds. Offshore directions are S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Puerto Caballas?
Recommended equipment sizes at Puerto Caballas: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Puerto Caballas suitable for?
Puerto Caballas suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.