Mollendo
Mollendo is a historic Peruvian port town with several quality surf spots. The main left point offers consistent waves with a charming old-town backdrop.
Mollendo surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (215°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 245°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Historic port town. Multiple breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Mollendo?
Mollendo is a point break in Arequipa, Peru, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Mollendo?
Mollendo picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. 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 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Mollendo?
An E wind is dead offshore at Mollendo, 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 Mollendo?
Mollendo is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Mollendo?
The most reliable run of swell at Mollendo comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round. Historic port town.
How cold is the water at Mollendo?
The water at Mollendo averages around 16°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 Mollendo 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. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Rocky areas. Moderate currents.
How do I get to Mollendo?
The nearest airport on our list is AQP, then it's roughly a 2.5-hour drive. Historic port town. Multiple breaks.
What other surf spots are near Mollendo?
The closest breaks we track are Mejia (8.0 km), handy when Mollendo isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round. Historic port town.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Mejia
🦩 Wildlife sanctuary waves • Birdwatcher surf • Natural beauty
Camana
🏔️ Arequipa's beach • Southern Peru gateway • Consistent waves
Ilo
⛏️ Mining port surf • Empty waves • Industrial backdrop
Boca del Rio
🇵🇪 Southern border waves • River mouth • Last Peru surf