Los Palos
Los Palos is Peru's southernmost quality surf spot - a remote left point in the desert just north of the Chilean border. Complete isolation and consistent waves reward the adventurous.
Los Palos surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (230°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 260°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Remote point near Chile border. 4WD recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Los Palos?
Los Palos is a point break in Tacna, Peru, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Los Palos?
Los Palos picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. 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 Los Palos?
An E wind is dead offshore at Los Palos, and anything from the NE round to the SE 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 Los Palos?
Los Palos is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Los Palos?
The most reliable run of swell at Los Palos comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Best March-October. Remote desert point.
How cold is the water at Los Palos?
The water at Los Palos averages around 15°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Los Palos good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Very remote. Rocky bottom.
How do I get to Los Palos?
The nearest airport on our list is TCQ, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. Remote point near Chile border. 4WD recommended.
What other surf spots are near Los Palos?
The closest breaks we track are Playa Chinchorro (20 km), El Buey (22 km) and El Brazo (22 km), handy when Los Palos isn't working. Fun fact: it's the most southerly break we track in Peru.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Best March-October. Remote desert point.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Playa Chinchorro
🏜️ Desert beach break • Consistent waves • Northern Chile gateway
El Buey
🐂 The Bull • Tow-in giant • 40ft+ faces
El Brazo
💪 The Arm • Reef/sand hybrid • Versatile waves
Arenillas Negras
🖤 Black sand reef • Quality walls • Less intense
El Gringo
🇨🇱 Chilean Pipeline • Helmet required • Slab of death
La Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection