El Faro
El Faro is the starting section of the legendary Chicama wave complex - when conditions align, you can catch waves here and ride all the way through to the inner sections for the world's longest ride.
El Faro surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 230°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Northern end of Chicama point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Faro?
El Faro is a point break in Puerto Malabrigo, La Libertad, Peru, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at El Faro?
El Faro picks up swell from the SSW 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 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. 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 El Faro?
A N wind is dead offshore at El Faro, and anything from the NW round to the NE 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 El Faro?
El Faro is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf El Faro?
The most reliable run of swell at El Faro comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Part of Chicama wave complex. First section.
How cold is the water at El Faro?
The water at El Faro 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 El Faro good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Rocky point.
How do I get to El Faro?
The nearest airport on our list is TRU, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Northern end of Chicama point.
What other surf spots are near El Faro?
The closest breaks we track are Chicama (1.3 km), Chicama - El Point (1.4 km) and Chicama - Keys (1.8 km), handy when El Faro isn't working. We track 4 spots around Puerto Malabrigo, La Libertad in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Part of Chicama wave complex. First section.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Chicama
📏 World's longest left • 2km to the pier • First legally protected wave
Chicama - El Point
🌍 World longest left • 2km+ rides • Bucket list wave
Chicama - Keys
🔑 Inside section • Near the pier • Perfect walls
Chicama - Malpaso
🛢️ Barrel section • Low tide tubes • Chicama hollow
Punta Prieta
🌑 Dark Point • Volcanic rock • Empty waves
Puemape
🌊 Hidden gem • Between the famous spots • Less crowded