Tres Picos (Lima)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardBeginners
What's great
  • Year-round access and a clear right-hand direction
  • Generally offers rideable surf for progressing surfers
  • Good match with northeast offshore winds
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–21 °C
Water Temperature
15–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 3/2mm or 4/3mm full suitApr–Nov: 3/2mm or 4/3mm full suit
Crowds by Season

Consistently crowded year-round; peak crowds on summer weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

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.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Right-hand waves on a rocky bottom with multiple defined options (“points”). Works year-round; conditions and quality are highly variable.

Beach breakReef break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBootsLeashHarnessImpact vestHelmet

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.