Puerto Viejo (San Antonio)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Puerto Viejo is a classic left-hand point break in the Lima region, known for long, walling rides with peeling, punchy sections. The wave typically starts working around 1.0–1.5m and can hold up to about 2.5m+, making it a reliable option when the southwest/west swell connects. The spot is essentially a sandy setup with a sandy point/launch area, but rocks are present near the point and at/near the start of the wave. Because of that, the main safety priority is careful line choice and avoiding the rocky areas during entry and paddling—especially when the peak gets busy. Access is straightforward by car: you pull off at km 71.5 on the Panamericana Sur (Pan-Highway), with very quick walking access after the drive. Parking is available on the beach or in designated sandy areas, and 4x4 is recommended for access. Crowds tend to be strongly weekend-driven. Weekdays are often empty, while weekends can become crowded with surfers arriving from Lima, so arriving early is helpful to secure a better position and session flow. Water conditions are cold year-round due to the Humboldt Current, so wetsuit choice should match the season.
- Long peeling lefts (point-break)
- Works from ~1.0–1.5m and can hold up to ~2.5m+
- Rock hazards near the point
- Weekend crowds common; weekdays often empty
- Long, walling left point break with peeling/punchy sections
- Works from around 1.0–1.5m and can hold up to ~2.5m+
- Accessible by car via km 71.5 with instant beach access (<5 min walk)
- Rocks near the point—use extra caution when paddling and lining up
- Weekend crowds are common; weekdays are typically empty
- Wind can shift quickly; morning conditions may differ from afternoons
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ENE
- Offshore directions
- ENE
- Wind Range
- 6–12 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — East-northeast trade winds
- Reliability
- fairly consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds reported
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy point and sandy beach
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave reports range from small to medium; spot best described as small-to-medium overall with workable sets up to ~2.5m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with easy access to the water
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access to the water; wide sandy launch
Through the year
Weekdays: empty; weekends: crowded. Peak weekend crowding reported during the Peruvian summer (January to March).
Rain is very rare in this desert coastal region; heavy mist (garúa) can occur in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Long, walling left point break with punchy sections; classic long peeling lefts.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides, rising and falling tides
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — The point can offer some protection depending on southerly wind component.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore-best when winds are from the east-northeast; South/South-East winds can be cross-shore to cross-offshore, with mornings typically glassier.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to 2.5m+ and becomes more powerful and challenging on larger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal (50 to 150m)
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal (50 to 150m); can deliver ~50 to 150m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) in the full forecast view.
Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- SSW197°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.1 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 20 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 near the point
- Occasional strong currents during large swells
- Crowded conditions on weekends
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported at the spot level; regional notes suggest rescue coverage is limited and more seasonal.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in the towns of Mala or San Antonio.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism signal in the spot-level notes; respect the peak and local surfers still recommended.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the peak and local surfers.
- Occasionally crowded on weekends; weekdays typically empty
- Take care to avoid the rocks.
- Arrive early on weekends to beat the crowds from Lima.
- On warmer days, expect afternoons to be busier; plan around the peak.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- San Antonio
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
- Parking
- Parking is available directly on the beach or in designated sandy areas
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Panamericana Sur highway; inter-provincial buses and colectivos from Lima stop near Puerto Viejo
- Access
- Pull off at km 71.5 on the Pan-Highway; 5-minute drive from main highway; instant access (<5 min walk); 4x4 recommended for access
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Limited options locally; most visitors stay in Lima or Asia
- Food & Drink
- Small food stalls and vendors are often present during the summer season.
- Equipment Rental:
- Occasional board rentals available from local vendors on busy weekends.
- Gear Repair
- Minor board repairs can be available locally via local operators/schools; specialized kite/wing repairs require travel to Lima.
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 Viejo (San Antonio)?
The best overall months at Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Puerto Viejo (San Antonio)?
Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) works with ENE winds. Offshore directions are ENE.
What skill level is Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) suitable for?
Puerto Viejo (San Antonio) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.