Surfing Kon Tiki: The Complete Guide

Kon Tiki is a reef break located in Punta Hermosa, Lima, Peru, offering a right-hander along South America's vast coastline. Kon Tiki is one of Peru's premier right-hand waves, named after Thor Heyerdahl's famous raft expedition that departed from nearby Callao. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is S (190°), with workable conditions from S to SW (170°–215°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Kon Tiki needs a minimum of 1m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 12 seconds, with 16 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 mid to high tide. Optimal tide range is 0.5m–1.5m. Avoid surfing when the tide drops below 0.3m — it becomes dangerously shallow.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Kon Tiki runs April, May, June, July, August, September (Apr–Sep). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens March, October (Mar–Oct). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Needs solid swell. Named after Thor Heyerdahl expedition.

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: South of main Punta Hermosa.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Sharp reef. Strong currents.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

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

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Kon Tiki? 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 Kon Tiki is firing.

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