Tres Picos (Lima)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tres Picos is a right-hand surf spot in Miraflores along the Costa Verde coastline that typically offers waves year-round. Sources describe it as fairly exposed, with multiple defined “points” that riders can choose from based on sea conditions. While the directionality is consistent, wave quality is reported as inconsistent—ranging from poor to average depending on the day. The bottom is rocky/pebble with rocks and submerged hazards close to shore. This makes entry and exit more technical than sandy beaches and is a key reason to protect your feet (booties are strongly recommended). In addition, pollution risk is noted as a hazard; water conditions can also be affected by runoff after heavy weather events, so checking local water quality information is advised. Wind is described as best with northeast offshore winds, while south/southwest sea-breeze conditions can quickly make things choppy. Spot-level guidance also indicates a wind pattern that favors light morning offshore tendencies followed by afternoon sea-breeze effects. Regional context aligns with this by pointing to afternoon thermal/sea-breeze reinforcement, suggesting riders typically plan sessions for midday through late afternoon. For timing, the spot is described as working across the year, with February frequently highlighted as a best month in spot databases. Seasonal water temperatures run from the mid-teens °C in winter to around the high teens/low 20s °C in summer, which generally means a wetsuit is still recommended even in warmer months.
- Right-hand waves with multiple defined takeoff options
- Best wind is northeast offshore; becomes choppy with south/southwest sea breezes
- Rocky/pebble shoreline—foot protection is essential
- Year-round access within the Miraflores Costa Verde surf circuit
- Year-round access and a clear right-hand direction
- Generally offers rideable surf for progressing surfers
- Good match with northeast offshore winds
- Rocky bottom makes entry/exit hazardous without protection
- Water quality can be poor/polluted and can worsen after runoff
- Wind can be unreliable and become choppy depending on direction
- Wave quality is inconsistent
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Spot-level sources describe light morning offshore tendency turning into afternoon sea-breeze effects; regional context also notes thermal/sea-breeze behavior with best window in the afternoon.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady; no quantified gust escalation provided.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Costa Verde cliffs can create wind shadows depending on wind direction.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Pebble — Mainly stones/pebble with some sandy zones.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Sources describe small to medium waves, typically ranging from small to chest-high.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Can become choppy in onshore/sea-breeze conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline requiring careful entry through stones and boulders.
Through the year
Consistently crowded year-round; peak crowds on summer weekends.
Rain is extremely rare (desert climate), but La Garúa (thick sea mist/drizzle) is common from May to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Right-hand waves on a rocky bottom with multiple defined options (“points”). Works year-round; conditions and quality are highly variable.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide is described as a favorable condition.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Described as fairly exposed, with shelter varying by conditions along the Costa Verde corridor.
- Wind Effect
- Best with northeast offshore winds; can become easily choppy with south/southwest sea-breeze conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but may start to close out or become messy as size increases.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — One source rates wave quality as poor; another describes average quality—overall conditions can be inconsistent.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Soft to moderate power described across sources.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often described as mixed; one source also characterizes peeling waves on the right-hand direction.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves can offer sectioned rides and connect on larger swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides can be sectioned; longer rides are possible on larger swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tres Picos (Lima) in the full forecast view.
Tres Picos (Lima) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- S185°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 239 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tres Picos (Lima) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.3–2.2 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
- pollution
- sea urchins
- crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported for the area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- National emergency number: 105 (Police), 116 (Fire/Ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as mild/local in the broader Miraflores context; spot-level sources also describe no strong localism.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette and respect the local lineup in this urban area.
- Booties are highly recommended due to the rocky entry and exit.
- Check local water quality reports after heavy rains because runoff can affect water conditions.
- After heavy mist/drizzle periods, be extra cautious with visibility and water clarity.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lima
- Nearest Town
- Miraflores
- Nearest Airport
- Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
- Parking
- Public parking lots are available along the beach road, but they fill quickly on weekends and summer days.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Metropolitano bus system and frequent taxis/rideshares; beach access requires descending the cliffs via specific ramps.
- Access
- Accessible via the Costa Verde circuit with coastal road access; beach access typically involves descending the cliffs via stairs and ramps.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive hotel and hostel options within walking distance of the cliffs in Miraflores/Surquillo.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and snack kiosks along the Costa Verde boardwalk.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals available at neighboring beaches in the Miraflores area.
- Gear Storage
- Some surf schools and clubs may offer storage for members or long-term students.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops in the Miraflores district offer board repair services.
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 Tres Picos (Lima)?
The best overall months at Tres Picos (Lima) are December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Tres Picos (Lima)?
Tres Picos (Lima) works with NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Tres Picos (Lima) suitable for?
Tres Picos (Lima) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.