Silencios (Punta Hermosa)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Silencios (Punta Hermosa) is described as a fairly exposed right-hand reef break that does not work very often and has no strong seasonal pattern for consistent surf. When the right conditions line up, it can produce heavy, fast rides and potentially sucky barrels. The setup is reef-based and hazardous: rocks and sea urchins are noted, and the shorebreak is characterized as heavy/powerful. Even when surfing is possible, misjudging the impact zone is warned against, and the ride is often fast and ends in a more powerful section. Wind is generally best for surfing in the summer months (December through March), with wind described as a sea-breeze influence and typically around 8–15 knots; spot-level wind reliability is noted as low. Northeast offshore winds are specifically described as producing the cleanest conditions. Crowds are a major practical factor: the beach is very popular with swimmers and sunbathers in summer, and there can be seasonal restrictions for surfing in designated swimming zones during peak weekends. Local guidance emphasizes arriving early morning to reduce crowd conflicts and being prepared for rip currents and the powerful shorebreak.
- Exposed right-hand reef break with potential for sucky barrels when swell and wind align.
- Heavy shorebreak and reef hazards (rocks, sea urchins).
- Summer beach popularity can limit surf practicality; early morning recommended.
- Exposed reef break with potential for right-hand, sucky barrel rides when swell and wind align.
- Summer offers warm weather and an active beach scene (especially for the shoreline, not necessarily for consistent surf).
- Does not work very often; surf reliability is described as low.
- Heavy/powerful shorebreak and reef hazards make wipeouts unforgiving.
- Beach can be extremely crowded in summer, complicating surf access.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Regional pattern includes gradient winds (often S to SSW) plus a summer sea-breeze; spot-level wind is described as a sea-breeze influence.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The cliffs provide some shelter from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — White sand / sandy bay
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as potentially very heavy on larger swells.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Heavy shorebreak; can become very heavy and close out on massive swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space, but extremely crowded with sunbathers during summer.
Through the year
Weekdays quieter; weekends livelier (summer). Extremely crowded during January and February weekends.
Garúa (misty fog) is common from May to October (almost no rainfall).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed right-hand reef break that does not work very often; no strong seasonal pattern for surf reliability. When conditions align it can produce heavy, fast, hollow right-hand barrels.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best around mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed right-hand reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with Northeast offshore winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become very heavy and close out on massive swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Heavy, powerful shorebreak; sucky barrels when conditions align.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Can offer sucky barrels when conditions align; can also become sucky/heavy depending on swell.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, heavy ride often ending in powerful shorebreak.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, heavy, and often ends in a powerful shorebreak; typical ride length reported as about 50 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Silencios (Punta Hermosa) in the full forecast view.
Silencios (Punta Hermosa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- SSW195°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2310 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Silencios (Punta Hermosa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.2–2.0 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
- sea-urchins
- heavy shorebreak
- crowds of swimmers
- rip currents
- rock formations and sea urchins at both ends of the bay
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Punta Hermosa town or San Bartolo. Emergency numbers noted regionally: 105 for police and 116 for fire/medical.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Respect local swimmers; surfing is restricted in designated swimming zones during peak summer weekends.
- Crowded swimming beach
- Seasonal access restrictions for water sports during summer peak
- Visit early morning in summer to avoid massive crowds of sunbathers.
- Be prepared for a heavy impact if you misjudge the shorebreak.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Punta Hermosa
- Parking
- Large paid parking lots are available behind the beach
- Public Transport
- Frequent colectivos and buses from Lima’s southern hubs plus private taxis
- Access
- Located at kilometer 42-43 of the South Pan-American Highway in Punta Hermosa district; about 45 minutes from Lima via Atocongo bridge. Parking: large paid parking lots are available behind the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hostels and rental apartments are plentiful in Punta Hermosa town.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beachside restaurants (huariques) serving fresh ceviche and seafood.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as limited at the beach, with more options in central Punta Hermosa.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Punta Hermosa is a wind- and surf-focused coastal area near Lima with a strong ocean culture and easy day-trip access. Summer brings a sunnier, more social atmosphere, while winter is associated with larger swell.
Scenic coastal walkway with panoramic views of surf breaks and the Pacific sunset.
Major pre-Inca archaeological site with pyramids, temples, and a museum.
Pico Alto is one of the largest waves in South America, drawing professional big-wave surfers during massive winter swells.
Famous for fresh seafood, especially traditional Peruvian ceviche made from the daily catch.
A large, popular beach with calmer waters than surf points, suited for swimming and family outings.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Silencios (Punta Hermosa)?
The best overall months at Silencios (Punta Hermosa) are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Silencios (Punta Hermosa)?
Silencios (Punta Hermosa) works with NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Silencios (Punta Hermosa) suitable for?
Silencios (Punta Hermosa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.