A Full Huanchaco Surf & Travel Guide
Tucked under the crumpled desert cliffs, Huanchaco is one of Peru’s most iconic surf towns. Not just becuase it has good waves, mind you.
This is a place with real heritage. Local fishermen have been riding the sea on Caballito de Totora, reed boats shaped eerily like surfboards, for over 3,000 years. Some say surfing itself was born here. Move over Waikiki.
The surf? Expect long, cruisy left-hand point breaks (it is Peru, after all) and some decent beach breaks for variety.
The main Huanchaco Point (Punta) is the star, but the whole bay has different peaks that cater to all levels. The vibe is laid-back, the town is friendly, and the backdrop of sand-blown desert and rugged cliffs gives it a unique, almost surreal look.
I’d rate it as one of the all-round best surf towns in the country, offering better waves than Mancora and easily one of the most enjoyable vibes I’ve come across in all of South America. It’s a great base.
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This guide is just one part of our guide to surfing in Peru
Where to surf in Huanchaco?
A lot of people choose Huanchaco because it’s not far from Chicama – one of the finest left handers in the world and the longest left in South America by far.
Trips there are easily doable from here. Most surf camps/schools offer them as part of a course or do day trips to Chicama when swells align.
But Huanchaco also has it’s own spots, which string around the town’s own point and run in a few sections from the outside of the headland into the main bay. There are days when they’ll all connect but it’s very rare.
I’ll start north and work south towards the point here…
El Boqueron
El Boqueron is a rare right-hander in a town and country where lefts dominate. It breaks close to shore and offers up short, punchy rides, often with a barreling section when the swell has size.
Because it’s more protected than the outer point, it can be a go-to spot when the rest of Huanchaco is maxed out or messy. That also means it draws a bit of a crowd on good days.
You’ll find a mix of bodyboarders and shortboarders trying to tuck in. On smaller swells it might not even be working. All tides but more advanced surfers only.
La Curvita
La Curvita is the go-to learner wave in Huanchaco, nestled just inside the pier. It’s a mellow, rolling left-hander (with the occasional right) that breaks over a mix of rock, boulder, and sand.
On most days, it’s one of the smaller and more forgiving waves in town, but the current can still be tricky—especially for first-timers.
You’ll usually find surf schools dotting the lineup and lots of foamies. It’s a good place to build confidence or refine your pop-up, but do keep an eye on where you drift, because the depth changes quickly and the pier can act like a funnel for water movement.
That said, when it’s small and glassy, it’s one of the most fun beginner waves in northern Peru.
La Punta
La Punta sits just to the left of the pier as you’re looking out to sea, and it’s a shortish, punchy left-hander sectionthat breaks over shallow water between the pier structure and the point.
It’s not a mega long ride, but it’s powerful and has just enough push for experienced longboarders or shortboarders on bigger swells.
The main issue is the current, which is pretty relentless and has a habit of dragging you into the rocks or back under the pier. Not ideal.
El Elio / Punta Huanchaco
This is the main Huanchaco Point, known to most just as The Point or Punta. It’s a long left-hander that peels off the end of the rocky headland at the south end of the bay.
On its day, this is a classic Peruvian-style wave, offering up rides of up to 150 metres or more, perfect for trimming and turning all the way to the inside.
It’s rarely world-class though, as strong rip currents and shifting peaks keep it from ever reaching Chicama standards. Still a a damn good wave.
On bigger swells, it gets shifty and unpredictable, with takeoffs moving around and sections that can close out easily. But when it’s smaller and cleaner, it’s a dream for intermediates and longboarders, and even shortboarders can have a ball hotdogging.
Crowds are rarely overwhelming thanks to the multiple takeoff points.
Sunkella
Sunkella is another right-hander on the outer reefs near the point, but it’s more fickle and generally steeper and dumpier than El Boqueron.
It breaks over a shallow reef, so it’s not a beginner-friendly option by any stretch. It has its moments—especially when a strong long period groundswell wraps in from the south—but you’ll need to know your way around shallow reef breaks to enjoy it.
Not a wave you’ll surf every day, but worth keeping on the radar if you’re hanging around town for a while.
When to surf in Huanchaco?
The surf in Huanchaco is best from March to October, during Peru’s southern hemisphere swell season.
This is when consistent south and southwest swells wrap into the coast, lighting up the left-hand point at Punta Huanchaco and giving more punch to the beach breaks and reef setups.
Winter months (June to August) tend to have the most powerful swells, but also colder water and stronger winds. If you want the cleanest conditions and solid swell, May and September are often ideal.
Thing is, Huanchaco is a year-round surf town. Even in the Peruvian summer (December to February), there are fun, smaller waves on the beach breaks, and the main point can still peel if something big westerly manages to make an appearance.
The water’s chilly all year, so bring a 3/2mm wetsuit, especially in the winter months when it drops from chilly to positively cold.
One thing we wouldn’t skip on is sunscreen.
I use Suntribe’s blocks because they’ve made a real effort to strip out any unneccessary chemicals.
Plus, they offer Surf Atlas readers 10% off orders with code Surfatlas10.
Where to stay for surfing in Huanchaco?
I’d rate Huanchaco as one of the best surf towns in Peru. It’s chilled without being boring, not overdeveloped, and there are waves for all levels, all the time.
Unlike some other destinations, you can stay right in front of the main point and be in the water within minutes. The town’s also super walkable, with loads of hostels, boutique hotels, and surf lodges lining the beachfront.
- Urcia Surf House – If you have the time, definitely do the 11-day surf camp package at the Urcia Surf House. These guys are the OGs of surf camping in Huanchaco and they have what I’d say is one of the best offerings in the country here – it includes 8 group surf lessons, loads of freesurfing, and a tour on a traditional reed boat. The main point is right out front too.
- ATMA Hostel & Yoga – Bargain beds in a vicbrant backpacker hostel with its own yoga program. Right beside the main beach.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
Great guide! I really appreciate the detailed breakdown of the surf spots in Huanchaco. The mix of waves for all skill levels and the rich local history make it sound like such a special place to visit. Can’t wait to plan my trip there! Thanks for sharing this awesome insight!