Playa Norte
Playa Norte is San Bartolo's main beach break, offering consistent waves in a popular Lima beach resort setting. Good for intermediate surfers looking for uncomplicated waves.
Playa Norte surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (195°)
- Direction range
- 175° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
3/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Main beach at San Bartolo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playa Norte?
Playa Norte is a beach break in San Bartolo, Lima, Peru, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Playa Norte?
Playa Norte 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 0.6m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.7m. 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 Playa Norte?
An E wind is dead offshore at Playa Norte, 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 Playa Norte?
Playa Norte has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playa Norte?
The most reliable run of swell at Playa Norte comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round. Summer beach resort crowd.
How cold is the water at Playa Norte?
The water at Playa Norte 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 Playa Norte good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 3/10 for difficulty. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Crowded summer weekends.
How do I get to Playa Norte?
The nearest airport on our list is LIM, then it's roughly a 50-minute drive. Main beach at San Bartolo.
What other surf spots are near Playa Norte?
The closest breaks we track are Punta Negra (1.7 km), La Isla (3.3 km) and Kon Tiki (3.7 km), handy when Playa Norte isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round. Summer beach resort crowd.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Punta Negra
🪨 Black point barrels • Quality reef • Lima corridor gem
La Isla
🏝️ Island rock landmark • Consistent left • Easy paddle
Kon Tiki
⛵ Heyerdahl heritage • Quality rights • Powerful reef break
Penascal
🪨 Punta Hermosa reef • Quality left • Less crowded option
Pico Alto 2
🏄 Punta Hermosa everyday wave • Consistent lefts • Easy access
Pico Alto
🇵🇪 Peru's giant • Never closes out • 30-min paddle