Surfing Pico Alto 2: The Complete Guide

Pico Alto 2 is a point break located in Punta Hermosa, Lima, Peru, offering a left-hander along South America's vast coastline. Pico Alto 2 is the everyday surf spot at Punta Hermosa, distinct from the famous big wave spot offshore. Rated as intermediate difficulty with moderately crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SSW (195°), with workable conditions from S to SW (175°–220°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Pico Alto 2 needs a minimum of 0.8m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans NE to SE (50°–130°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides. Optimal tide range is 0.4m–1.5m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Pico Alto 2 runs March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Mar–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens November, December, January, February (Nov–Feb). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Year-round. More accessible than Pico Alto.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 17°C / 63°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is LIM, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Access: Main beach at Punta Hermosa.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Crowded spot. Rocky areas.

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (4/10). Crowd Level: Typically moderately crowded (6/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Pico Alto 2? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Pico Alto 2 is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*