Pico Alto is Peru's premier big wave—a deepwater reef 1.5km offshore from Punta Hermosa that produces some of South America's largest rideable waves. The unique geography means the wave almost never closes out, offering clean faces in the 40-60 foot range about 10 days per year. The 30-minute paddle out is challenging, but the reward is one of the most user-friendly big waves on the planet. Peru's consistent S-SW swells and cold upwelling water create ideal big wave conditions.
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: 30min paddle
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions