A reliable left-hand sand point 130 km south of Lima, Cerro Azul wraps S-SW swell around a headland and peels toward a fishing pier for up to 200-300 m on a good day. SW is the priority swell direction. S wind is dead offshore, which helps given the prevailing wind pattern. Works best from 3-8ft, starting steep off the headland before the wave convex-refracts into a longer, more forgiving wall toward the pier. Low tide sharpens the shape, the wave holds up across all tides but flattens out at genuine size. Intermediate surfers get the most out of the upper sections, but the mellower inside makes it one of the more accessible point waves in the Lima region. Bottom: sand with possible subsurface rock. Season: year-round, peaks March-September. Consistency: high (8/10). Shuffle your feet on entry to avoid stingray strikes, and keep an eye on current after your ride as most people walk back around the point rather than paddle.
Gets crowded, especially in summer when Cerro Azul draws Lima vacationers. The take-off zone is compact, so when conditions are good the lineup compresses fast. Locals are generally welcoming if you're respectful, but don't expect to find space easily on a summer weekend. Dawn patrol or shoulder-season visits mid-week are the practical answer.
Drive the Pan-American Highway 130 km south from Lima. Parking is available at the break. No surf facilities on site, though the town has seafood restaurants and accommodation at reasonable prices. Water quality is clean. Main hazards are stingrays in the shallows (shuffle feet when wading) and current on the inside after longer rides.
When Cerro Azul is too crowded or the swell is too small to wrap around the point, check the beachbreak peaks stretching north from the village. Puerto Fiel, a short distance north, has additional waves worth checking. For more powerful surf, Punta Hermosa to the north delivers chunky rights when swell is running, though the crowds there can be heavier.
Forecast by Windy.app
