Chicama - Malpaso
Malpaso is Chicama's barrel section - where the wave hits a shallower reef and throws perfect tubes at low tide. The name means 'bad pass' in Spanish, referring to the challenging shallow section that rewards those who commit.
Chicama - Malpaso surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (202°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 225°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.3m - 2.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 110° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 1.2m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Third section of Chicama.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Chicama - Malpaso?
Chicama - Malpaso is a point break in Puerto Malabrigo, La Libertad, Peru, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Chicama - Malpaso?
Chicama - Malpaso picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2.3 to 2.7m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Chicama - Malpaso?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Chicama - Malpaso, and anything from the ESE round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Chicama - Malpaso?
Chicama - Malpaso is at its best around low tide, roughly 0.2m to 1.2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Chicama - Malpaso?
The most reliable run of swell at Chicama - Malpaso comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Best at low tide. Barrel section.
How cold is the water at Chicama - Malpaso?
The water at Chicama - Malpaso averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Chicama - Malpaso good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Shallow reef. Barrel section.
How do I get to Chicama - Malpaso?
The nearest airport on our list is TRU, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Third section of Chicama.
What other surf spots are near Chicama - Malpaso?
The closest breaks we track are Chicama - Keys (0.4 km), Chicama - El Point (0.9 km) and Chicama (2.0 km), handy when Chicama - Malpaso isn't working. We track 4 spots around Puerto Malabrigo, La Libertad in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Best at low tide. Barrel section.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Chicama - Keys
🔑 Inside section • Near the pier • Perfect walls
Chicama - El Point
🌍 World longest left • 2km+ rides • Bucket list wave
Chicama
📏 World's longest left • 2km to the pier • First legally protected wave
El Faro
🗼 Chicama starting point • Connects to main wave • Part of longest ride
Punta Prieta
🌑 Dark Point • Volcanic rock • Empty waves
Puemape
🌊 Hidden gem • Between the famous spots • Less crowded