Puerto Caballas
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 a remote, sandy medium-sized beach spot in the Ica desert area, known for clean water and south-sourced thermal winds. Riders typically expect medium-wave conditions and a launch setup that’s described as spacious, with sandy access for getting rigged. Wind is the main feature: S to S/SSW thermal flow builds strongly as the land heats, generally starting around late morning, then peaking in the afternoon. Reported typical wind speeds are roughly 15–30 knots (and up to the high 20s/low 30s in one dataset), with the best months concentrated in January and the late-spring/early-summer period through April, and also September through December. One enrichment source also highlights a higher wind-day probability during May–August. For kitesurfing, the spot is described as semi-flat to flat/free-ride to wave-capable, with side-shore to cross-offshore setups depending on the exact conditions. Choppier water is noted right in front of the beach in one dataset, and a common tactic suggested is to kite upwind and across to the other side of the bay to find smoother water. Kite sizes reported across sources span roughly 6–12 m², aligning with the stated wind range. Safety and logistics are the biggest constraints. Rocks are a consistent hazard across sources, and the area is described as ultra-remote with no nearby rescue boat or lifeguards, plus limited/no immediate emergency access. Bring full self-sufficiency (food/water, communication plans, and vehicles suitable for desert tracks), and consider riding with a partner. Water temperatures are described as cold across the year (with wetsuits recommended throughout), despite the desert surroundings.
- Afternoon-peaking south thermal winds
- Clean water and sandy launch setup
- Rocks hazard near/around the shore
- Cold water year-round—full wetsuit recommended by at least one source
- Consistent thermal winds from the south with a strong afternoon peak
- Sandy medium-sized beach with space to launch/setup (as reported)
- Clean water quality reported
- Rocks and scattered rocky outcrops/obstacles near the shore
- Afternoon winds can quickly blow conditions out (thermal ramp around noon)
- Extreme remoteness/logistics risk: limited/no on-site services or rescue support
- No formal food/water or equipment rental reported; requires full self-sufficiency
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal winds that build with land heating
- Reliability
- 60% wind-day probability in off-season May–August; more frequent in September–April (as reported by one enrichment source)
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Also described as light-gusts in parts of the dataset
- Best Months
- January, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Big — Large/spacious sandy beach reported for setup
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Also described as moderate in another dataset
Through the year
Off-season May–August reported as less crowded; peak tourist season December to March reported with more tourists and beginners (though one dataset overall reports very low/empty crowds due to isolation).
Rain is extremely rare; sandstorms can occur during strong wind events.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Semi-flat to flat water/free-ride to wave conditions with strong, consistent S/SSW thermal winds. Wind often strengthens in the afternoon as land heats.
- Kite Sizes
- 6–12 m²
Reported as suitable for wave/windsurfing in strong winds, though kiting is described as more popular at this spot.
Flat-water wingfoiling is possible (with foiling-friendly conditions reported), but one dataset describes it as challenging due to remoteness, strong winds, and shore/launch hazards.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling-friendly conditions were reported as possible, but one source rates foil-friendliness as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 3–4.5 m²
Long, clean waves can occur with groundswells and a period of lighter wind before the afternoon thermal reinforcement.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed coast conditions; not sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- Quickly becomes blown out by noon when the strong south winds arrive; conditions described as clean before the thermal wind ramps.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well, but becomes very challenging to paddle.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Longer rides reported during clean swells with light morning winds before the thermal kicks in.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long, peeling lefts on the right swell/wave setup.
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
- S185°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2421 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 21–27 °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 S. Waves run 1.3–2.5 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
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
- scattered rocks in the water and near the shore
- strong currents (reported depending on swell size)
- extreme remoteness (logistics/safety risk)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue boat/formal rescue services reported; plan self-rescue and group safety.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are reported in Nasca or San Juan de Marcona, several hours away by desert tracks. Regional rescue availability is reported as no formal beach-side rescue services.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism was reported as none in one source; another notes crowded conditions close to the beach when beginners are learning.
Rules of the spot
No specific local regulations were reported; follow general right-of-way and safe kiting practice.
- Self-sufficiency required due to remoteness (no on-site services reported).
- Access is by 4x4 only; plan for ~1.5 hours across desert tracks from the highway and bring sufficient fuel, water, and spare tires.
- Ride with a partner due to lack of nearby emergency support.
- There is said to be choppier water near the beach; kiting upwind and across to the other side of the bay is suggested to improve conditions.
- The area can be very cold despite the desert setting; prepare for cold-water exposure.
- Bring no-food/no-service planning: carry all supplies with you.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Nasca
- Nearest Town
- San Juan de Marcona
- Parking
- Parking/car access described as available right at the spot in one source; other dataset describes wild parking on the beach and cautions not to get stuck in soft sand.
- Public Transport
- Highly limited; primarily accessible via 4x4 private vehicles or organized desert tours.
- Access
- 4x4 required; requires crossing desert tracks from the highway (about 1.5 hours reported by one source).
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Camping is the primary option; wild camping reported on-site due to limited nearby accommodation.
- Food & Drink
- No food or water available on-site; bring your own.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is generally not available at the water's edge; may need to be arranged in the wider Paracas/Ica area.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated storage facilities reported.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs may be available in Paracas per regional context; no on-site repair reported at the spot itself.
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 September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Puerto Caballas?
Puerto Caballas works with S winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Puerto Caballas?
Recommended equipment sizes at Puerto Caballas: Kitesurfing: 6–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–4.5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Puerto Caballas suitable for?
Puerto Caballas suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate to Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.