San Maloy (Quilca Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Shallow, Flat, Small waves, Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
San Maloy (Quilca Coast) is a remote, cove-based beach/launch area on Peru’s southern coast known primarily for highly consistent sandbar surfing. The break is described as a “regional classic,” producing both left and right waves and working on all tides, with sessions that can be long (normal rides around 50–150 m, and longer lines on better conditions). Wave start is reported around 1.0–1.5 m and the working swell window is described up to about 1.0–3.0 m, with quality described as excellent/very consistent. Water conditions are described as clean, with a sandy bottom and sandbar, and with additional rock elements near the edges/submerged sandbar sections in the cove. Surf is characterized as semi-sheltered with a small shore break, and south-wind influence is described as adding texture while still holding the face shape well. Currents are reported as moderate to strong depending on swell size and tidal movement, and submerged rocks are specifically highlighted as a key hazard. Wind for the spot is south / southwesterly in the best season, with best months listed as January and September through December. Wind is reported as very consistent in spring and summer, and an afternoon thermal/sea-breeze pattern is described as reinforcing the gradient wind from roughly 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Typical wind is reported around 15–22 knots, with light gusts. Overall, the spot is a low-crowd, self-sufficiency-first destination. Access is hard (4x4 required plus a walk), there are no confirmed on-site rescue services, and visitors are advised to bring all supplies. Emergency response is described as relying on medical services in the wider region, with the nearest hospitals referenced as several hours away by road.
- Very consistent sandbar surfing (around 150 days/year)
- Works on all tides with both left and right directions
- Reliable south wind in September–December and January, with afternoon reinforcement
- Often empty due to difficult 4x4 access and remoteness
- Very consistent sandbar surfing described as a regional classic (around 150 days/year)
- Works on all tides with both left and right directions
- Wind described as reliable in the best months, with afternoon thermal reinforcement described
- Often very low crowds due to difficult access
- Hard to access; requires a 4x4 and a walk to the beach
- Remote setting with no confirmed on-site rescue services
- Cool-to-cold water influenced by the Humboldt Current
- Currents described as moderate to strong and rocks/submerged sections present near the edges of the cove/sandbar
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — South/southwesterly trade-wind pattern reinforced at times by afternoon sea-breeze/thermal effects (described as thermal sea breezes reinforcing the gradient in the afternoons).
- Reliability
- Very consistent during spring and summer months.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light gusts.
- Best Months
- January, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Shallow, Flat, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rock elements near the cove edges.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Swell described as starting at 1.0–1.5 m for the sandbar and working up to about 1.0–3.0 m.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with sufficient space; primary launch zones require 4x4 access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Requires 4x4 access and a moderate approach on foot to the primary beach areas.
Through the year
Arid conditions; rain described as very rare. Regional rainy/storm season is described as sporadic rain around December to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reported as offering a mix of flat water in the shallows and rideable waves further out; side-onshore wind makes it a reliable destination for freeriders and wave enthusiasts. (Spot is noted for wind; explicit kite suitability depends on conditions.)
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Consistent wind and mixed conditions are described as suitable for wingfoiling, especially on a foil-specific board that can handle small chop/waves.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Very consistent sandbar wave; described as a regional classic with both left and right directions. Works on all tides.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works on all tides, including rising and falling.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Located in a cove; reported small shore break.
- Wind Effect
- South wind creates side-onshore texture but holds the wave shape well on the face.
- Bigger Swell
- Maintains its shape well and can offer longer, more powerful lines as the swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Also described as very consistent (around 150 days/year).
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Reported normal 50–150 m; on good/optimal conditions can extend to 150–300 m (and very roughly up to ~300 m described).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal 50–150 m; good-day length 150–300 m; very consistent with long sessions on suitable swell/tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Maloy (Quilca Coast) in the full forecast view.
San Maloy (Quilca Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- S169°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–1.9 m11s period
- Temperature
- 20–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, San Maloy (Quilca Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.3–1.9 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Submerged rocks
- Strong currents
- Remote location
- No rescue services
- Deep water further out
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue services are confirmed for the coast; no rescue availability specifically at the spot is reported.
- Emergency Info
- No on-site rescue services reported; emergency response is described as via medical services based in Arequipa. Emergency number: 105 (national). Nearest medical facilities are referenced as in Camaná or Mollendo / Hospital de Apoyo Caman (Caman).
Rules of the spot
Self-sufficiency is mandatory due to total lack of infrastructure.
- No specific local rules reported; operate with self-sufficiency expectations.
- Bring all necessary supplies (including water, food, and tools).
- A 4x4 vehicle is essential for navigating the desert tracks to the beach.
- Always ride with a partner given the extreme remoteness of the Quilca coast.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Arequipa
- Nearest Town
- Quilca
- Public Transport
- Limited public transport is described for the region (regional buses/colectivos between Caman and Quilca are referenced as limited).
- Access
- Access requires a 4x4 vehicle; located in a cove south of Camaná with a good walk (about 15–30 minutes) from the access point to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping on the beach is described as the only option at the spot; basic guest houses are referenced in Caleta de Quilca and more developed hotels are in Camaná.
- Food & Drink
- No food/drink available on-site; visitors must bring their own provisions.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rentals available on-site.
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 San Maloy (Quilca Coast)?
The best overall months at San Maloy (Quilca Coast) are September, October, November, December, January. The best wind months are January, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at San Maloy (Quilca Coast)?
San Maloy (Quilca Coast) works with S winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at San Maloy (Quilca Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at San Maloy (Quilca Coast): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 15–22 kts.
What skill level is San Maloy (Quilca Coast) suitable for?
San Maloy (Quilca Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Advanced to Expert.