Crowd & Localism
The lineup is reliably uncrowded. Even under a big swell, crowd pressure stays low. Vibe is relaxed and friendly. Respect the local surfers who call this home, and the easygoing atmosphere will hold.
Ilo Province, Southern Peru, Peru
Piedras Negras
-17.470, -71.374
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Editor-reviewedCross-checked against WannaSurf
At a glance
- Piedras Negras is a right over mixed, long walling right-hand jetty break.
- Beginner to advanced ability, working 5-16 ft.
- Peak April to October.
Right · MixedBeginner → Advanced5–16 ftApr – Oct
A jetty-assisted right-hander breaking over deep water on the Southern Peru coast, Piedras Negras offers a relaxed session in rarely crowded conditions with warm tropical water and a long wall on good days. It needs 5-6ft of swell to wake up, handles well overhead and bigger, and works across all tides. SW and S groundswells push the wave along the rock jetty, with offshore conditions likely on SE to E winds. Crowd pressure is almost zero outside major swells, making it a genuine get-some-waves spot for surfers of all levels. Bottom: deep water reef/jetty. Season: austral swell season, typically April through October. Consistency: moderate, swell-dependent. The exit is the main hazard: the shore is rocky, so drift toward the sandy beach section before paddling in rather than trying to exit near the jetty itself.
Wave fit
Skill suited
Beginner → Advanced
BegIntAdv
Best months
Apr – Oct
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Character
Long walling right-hand jetty break.
Conditions
When it worksOptimum tide
All tides
Trip planning
Quick facts
Wetsuit
Boardies
What to bring
- Shortboard 6ft to 6ft 6in for standard swell
- Step-up 6ft 8in to 7ft for larger 8ft-plus days
- Fish or mid-length for smaller, weaker swell days
Lineup
Mellow lineup
Where it sits
Location
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About this break
What it's actually like
Access & Facilities
Follow signs toward the main beach, drive past it to the end, and locate the rock jetty. Parking above the jetty is safe. Entry is a jump from the jetty into the lineup. Exit via the beach rather than the rocks. Facilities are minimal, bring water and sun protection.
Nearby Alternatives
Southern Peru has consistent beach and point breaks scattered along the Pan-American Highway corridor. If Piedras Negras is too small, larger open-ocean points and beach breaks to the north and south will be more sensitive to incoming swell and may already be firing.
10-day swell, wind and tide
Piedras Negras surf forecast
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Forecast by Windy.app
Stay nearby
Camps within boat range
Browse all Peru surf camps
No vetted camps within boat range of Piedras Negras yet.
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Frequently asked
What you need to know before paddling out at Piedras Negras
What skill level is Piedras Negras suited for?
Piedras Negras is a mixed bottom, long walling right-hand jetty break, break suited for beginner through advanced surfers. Beginners can give it a go on the smaller end of the size range.
What size does Piedras Negras work best at?
Working size is 5 to 16 ft. Below 5 ft the swell goes flat. Above 16 ft it tends to close out.
When is the best season to surf Piedras Negras?
Piedras Negras fires from April through October. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does Piedras Negras need?
Piedras Negras switches on with swells out of the S to WSW (180 to 247 degrees).
What type of wave is Piedras Negras?
Piedras Negras is a right-breaking wave over mixed. Long walling right-hand jetty break.
How crowded is Piedras Negras?
Lineup is mellow. Visiting surfers fit in fine if they wait their turn.
Sources
- WannaSurf
Piedras Negras
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