Chicama.

The breaks

Recognised, publicly known surf spots around Chicama. Suitability depends on the day's swell, wind and tide, so treat the level as a guide, not a guarantee.

Full profile: Chicama (El Point).

Puerto Malabrigo and the world's longest left

The wave people call Chicama breaks at Puerto Malabrigo, a small fishing port on the Pacific, a drive from the town of Chicama itself in the La Libertad region. It is a left-hand point break, and guides say a single ride can run for as much as four kilometres on the best days, though most rides are far shorter. Malabrigo is also described as the first wave in the world to have been given legal protection.

The setting is stark and dry: desert hills, a long pier and a pier-side town of low houses. There is very little to do except surf, eat and rest, which is part of why surfers come here for a week or more. Do not expect resort-style distractions.

Sections, names and how a long ride works

A ride at Chicama is a chain of sections that link when the swell is big enough and the sandy bays between them line up. Local names vary between sources. Some mention El Cape, El Point and Las Dos Tetas, while older writers refer to Malpaso and El Hombre, and one lists El Malecón near the town. Only the first sections may break on a modest swell, so the full ride is a bonus, not a given.

Most surfers pick a section that suits their level, take off there, and work down the line, rather than aiming for the longest ride. Intermediate surfers can get a lot from the inside sections, where the face is gentler, while the outer sections are better for experienced surfers.

Swell season and why the wave can be absent

Chicama is a south and south-west swell wave, and guides commonly place the season between March or April and October, with May often cited as ideal for swell and wind. Winds at Malabrigo are consistently offshore, which helps the face stay clean, but the swell itself is notoriously inconsistent. A week can include days with a few small sets and days with long, perfect lines.

Because of that, build slack into your itinerary. Check the forecast daily, accept that some days will be flat or onshore and have a plan for resting or exploring. If you can only come for three days, the odds of catching a good swell are lower than for a week.

Cold water and what to wear

This is the cold-water Humboldt Current coast. Even though the latitude is only around seven degrees south, water temperatures are far lower than you might expect and the air is often cool and grey. Most surfers wear a full wetsuit, often a 3/2 for much of the season and thicker in the middle of winter, and take a hooded or long-sleeve layer for the paddle back.

The long wave also means long sessions with few chances to warm up, so bring a spare wetsuit if you can, and wash it quickly in fresh water. Sun can still burn through the haze, so protect your face and neck.

Currents, paddles and the boat back

The same geometry that makes the wave long creates strong currents along the point. After riding a long section, the walk or paddle back is slow, and the current will carry you away from the take-off. Several guides recommend hiring a boat to return to the top of the point, particularly for a group, and some surfers combine boat and paddle.

Only go out if you are confident in strong water. Keep an eye on landmarks, avoid being drawn into the harbour area and ask local boatmen about the current before you start. Beginners should not surf the point unsupervised, since it is easy to be swept a long way from where you started.

Reaching Chicama from Trujillo

Trujillo has the nearest airport, with flights from Lima. The town of Chicama is on the Pan-American Highway about 33 km north of the city, and Puerto Malabrigo is further along, so the drive to the surf is roughly an hour to an hour and a half. Taxis, colectivos and private transfers are the usual options.

If you are travelling by bus from elsewhere in Peru, long-distance coaches stop at Trujillo, and colectivos and local buses run on to the coast. Take cash, because machines in Malabrigo are limited, and carry a small supply of basics.

Beyond the line-up: Trujillo and the northern ruins

Trujillo makes an easy base for a few days. Its colonial centre is compact, and the region contains major pre-Columbian sites, including Chan Chan, the vast adobe city of the Chimú culture, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Huacas del Sol y de la Luna and the El Brujo complex are also within reach of a day trip.

If the wave is not working, a trip to Huanchaco, with its caballitos de totora reed boats, is an easy swap. The coast north towards Pacasmayo has other breaks, though most are more consistent than Chicama but shorter.

Chicama surf season month by month

A broad planning picture, not a forecast. Swell, wind and water temperature vary from year to year.

Learning and improving near Chicama

Chicama is not a learner's wave: the cold water, the current and the need to sit in a line-up with experienced surfers make it unsuitable for first lessons. If you are learning, it is better to start at Huanchaco, where schools use the beach breaks, and return to Chicama once you can paddle strongly and read a wave.

Improving surfers can use the inner sections on smaller days, ideally with an instructor or guide who knows how to handle the current. Surf camps and guesthouses in Malabrigo often provide board rental, though quality varies, so bring a leash and check the board before you take it out.

Comparing options across the country? Read our guide to surfing in Peru.