Peru Chicama Longest Wave Surf Guide 2025: World Record Left Point Break

Why Chicama is the World's Longest Wave

Chicama earned its place in surf history as the longest rideable wave on Earth, a distinction documented by surf media, Guinness World Records investigations, and thousands of surfers who have experienced the marathon rides firsthand. Located near the fishing village of Puerto Malabrigo in Peru's La Libertad region, this left-hand point break produces rides typically ranging 1-1.5km on good swells, extending to 2-2.2km on exceptional days with perfect conditions.

The wave's extraordinary length results from unique coastal geography. A rocky point juts northwest into the Pacific Ocean creating a perfectly angled cobblestone and sand bottom that wraps consistent southwest swells into an impossibly long left-breaking wave. The point consists of four distinct sections spread across nearly 2.5km of coastline, each section connecting to the next when swell direction, period, and tide align correctly.

Unlike most point breaks that offer 200-500m rides (Jeffreys Bay, Rincon, Malibu), Chicama's extended point structure allows waves to continue reforming and breaking for 1-2+ kilometers. A single ride from Point 1 (top section) to Point 4 (beach) takes 3-4 minutes of continuous surfing, requiring exceptional stamina and wave reading to navigate the long walls, occasional barrel sections, and speed zones between points.

The wave broke anonymously for centuries known only to local fishermen until surfers discovered it in the 1960s. International recognition came in the 1990s-2000s when surf media documented the extreme ride lengths. Today Chicama attracts intermediate-advanced surfers from around the world seeking to experience the world's longest wave, though the remote location and cold water keep crowds manageable compared to more accessible world-class breaks.

Chicama Wave Breakdown: Four Points Explained

Understanding Chicama requires knowing the four distinct sections that make up the complete wave. Each point has different characteristics, difficulty levels, and crowd dynamics. On perfect days all four sections connect for the full 2km ride, though more commonly surfers ride 2-3 connected sections.

Point 1 (El Punto): Top Section Expert Zone

Point 1 (also called El Punto or The Point) is the top section where the wave first breaks at the northernmost rock outcrop. This expert-advanced zone produces the fastest, hollows sections with occasional barrels when swell hits 5-8ft. Rides from Point 1 typically travel 300-500m before connecting to Point 2, featuring steep drops, fast walls, and cobblestone bottom that can punish wipeouts.

Access to Point 1 requires either boat shuttle (S/20-30 per ride) or grueling 20-30 minute paddle from beach against strong current. Most surfers pay for boat access to maximize wave count and save energy for the long rides. Point 1 handles the biggest swells 6-10ft when other sections close out, but also works well on moderate 3-6ft days when the full wave connects.

Point 2: Speed Wall Intermediate-Advanced

Point 2 sits 400-600m down from Point 1 offering fast down-the-line walls with less barrel sections. This intermediate-advanced zone features the longest uninterrupted walls at Chicama, allowing extended carving and speed generation. Rides starting from Point 2 travel 600-900m to Point 3, combining the best of Chicama's length without the extreme paddle or expert-only sections.

Surfers can paddle out to Point 2 in 10-15 minutes from beach or boat to Point 1 and ride through Points 1-2 together. This section works best on 4-7ft swells when the wave connects properly to Point 3. The bottom transitions from cobblestones to sand-cobblestone mix creating slightly slower, more forgiving walls than Point 1.

Point 3: Endurance Zone

Point 3 lies another 400-600m down the point, the middle section where rides truly test stamina and wave reading. This intermediate zone produces long workable walls 3-6ft with occasional inside sections that require pumping to maintain speed through flat spots. Surfers riding from Points 1-2-3 have already been on the wave for 1-1.5 minutes covering 800-1,200m.

The challenge at Point 3 is maintaining enough speed and positioning to connect through to Point 4 beach section. Many rides end at Point 3 when surfers run out of steam, wave energy dissipates, or positioning mistakes leave them behind the wave. Mastering Point 3 separates good Chicama surfers from great ones.

Point 4 (The Beach): Beginner-Intermediate Learner Zone

Point 4 breaks directly in front of Malabrigo village beach, the final 200-400m section where the wave reforms into gentle rollers perfect for beginners and intermediates. This section works independently even when Points 1-3 aren't breaking properly, making it the most consistent option for learning or warming up.

Beginners surf only Point 4, enjoying 200-400m rides over sandy bottom with mellow 2-4ft faces. Easy paddle out (5 minutes from beach) and forgiving waves make this ideal for first-timers. For surfers riding the full point, Point 4 provides the victory lap after 2-3 minutes of intense surfing through the upper sections.

Chicama Surf Season Breakdown

Autumn-Winter (March-October): Peak Southwest Swells

March-October is prime time for Chicama when consistent southwest swells from Southern Ocean storms hit Peru's north coast. This period corresponds to Peru's autumn-winter when the Southern Ocean becomes most active with low-pressure systems tracking east across the Pacific generating powerful groundswells.

April-June delivers the most reliable conditions. Swells arrive 4-6 days per week with 3-6ft faces at Point 1, light offshore or side-shore winds mornings, and relatively uncrowded lineups (10-20 surfers). Water temperature ranges 16-18°C requiring full 4/3mm wetsuits. These months offer the best balance of consistent surf, manageable crowds, and good weather (minimal rain, partly cloudy skies).

July-September increases swell size and consistency. Bigger 5-8ft swells become common, producing more days when all four points connect for 1.5km+ rides. Crowds increase as international surfers fill surf camps during northern hemisphere summer vacation season. Water remains cold 16-18°C. Strong surfers with experience riding long point breaks will have the sessions of their lives during this peak window.

March and October serve as shoulder months with slightly less consistent swell (2-4 days per week) but excellent value for budget travelers and crowd avoiders. March still catches late summer swells transitioning to autumn patterns, while October marks the end of peak season before summer onshores arrive.

Summer (November-February): Small Inconsistent Surf

November-February summer season brings small inconsistent waves as the Southern Ocean calms and northwesterly winds increase. Surf drops to 1-3ft most days with occasional 3-5ft pulses from distant swells. Onshore winds blow most afternoons making conditions choppy and disorganized.

This period works for beginners learning at Point 4 with gentle 2-3ft rollers and warm(er) 18-20°C water (still requiring 3/2mm wetsuit minimum). Budget travelers find excellent accommodation deals as surf camps drop prices 30-40% during low season. Experienced surfers typically skip November-February entirely, heading instead to Peru's south coast (Punta Hermosa near Lima) or other destinations.

El Niño years (most recently 2023-2024, next expected 2026-2027) dramatically impact Chicama during November-February. Warmer water 20-22°C arrives with the El Niño current, along with increased rainfall and altered swell patterns. Some El Niño events bring unseasonal large northwest swells creating unusual surf conditions, though inconsistent and unpredictable.

Chicama Surf Trip Budget Breakdown

Chicama is surprisingly affordable for a world-class surf destination, especially compared to Indo boat trips or Tahiti. Budget S/2,000-4,500 (US$530-1,190) for 7-10 days including accommodation, food, transport, and boat rides. Peru's lower cost of living and surf camp meal packages create excellent value.

Money-Saving Tips for Chicama

• Book surf camps directly: Email/WhatsApp surf camps for best rates (10-20% cheaper than booking sites)
• Bring your own board: Save S/420-700 on rentals (LATAM/Sky allow surfboards S/150-200 baggage fee)
• Mix paddling and boats: Paddle to Points 2-4, boat only to Point 1 when fresh (save 50% on boat costs)
• Visit shoulder season: March or October for 20-30% lower accommodation rates
• Cook some meals: Malabrigo has small markets, cooking saves S/50-100/day vs camp meals
• Share taxi from Trujillo: Split S/200 taxi with other surfers vs S/200 solo
• Bring soles cash: US dollars accepted but soles get better rates, avoid ATM fees

Getting to Chicama: Lima to Malabrigo Logistics

International Flights to Lima

Most international surfers fly into Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), Peru's main gateway with connections from North America, Europe, and South America. Major carriers serving Lima include LATAM, Avianca, Copa Airlines, United, American, and Iberia. From Lima you'll take a domestic flight or bus to Trujillo, then ground transport 65km north to Malabrigo village.

Lima to Trujillo: Flight vs Bus

Flying Lima to Trujillo (recommended): LATAM and Sky Airlines operate 6-10 daily flights LIM-TRU (1 hour, S/400-800 round-trip). Book 2-8 weeks advance for best rates. Trujillo Airport (TRU) sits 10km from city center. This option saves 8-9 hours compared to bus, arriving fresh and ready to surf.

Bus Lima to Trujillo (budget option): Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Linea provide overnight buses (9 hours, S/80-150 one-way). Buses depart Lima evening (9-11pm) arriving Trujillo early morning (6-8am). Premium bus seats (Cama VIP) recline fully with meals included. This option works for budget travelers or those on extended Peru trips combining surf with tourism.

Trujillo to Puerto Malabrigo (Chicama)

From Trujillo, Malabrigo village lies 65km north on Panamericana Norte highway (1.5 hours drive). Most surf camps arrange shuttle pickup from Trujillo airport or bus terminal for S/150-200 one-way. Share shuttle with other surfers to split costs. Private taxi from Trujillo charges S/200-250 one-way.

No public buses run directly to Malabrigo. You can take collectivo shared vans from Trujillo to Paijan (S/15, 1 hour) then another collectivo Paijan to Malabrigo (S/10, 30 minutes), but this requires Spanish language skills and takes 3+ hours with waiting times. Most surfers pay for direct shuttle through camps.

Bringing Surfboards on Domestic Flights

LATAM and Sky Airlines allow surfboards as checked baggage on Lima-Trujillo flights for S/150-200 one-way (max 25kg weight, 2.5m length). Reserve board space when booking tickets as cargo holds fill quickly. Alternatively, rent boards in Malabrigo (S/60-100/day) to avoid baggage hassles. Most camps have board quivers available in various sizes, though selection limited compared to bringing your own.

Where to Stay: Malabrigo Surf Camps

Puerto Malabrigo is a small fishing village with population around 2,000, built entirely around fishing and surf tourism. Accommodation consists of surf camps and basic hostels scattered along the beachfront. Most surfers stay at surf camps offering all-inclusive packages (accommodation + three meals) providing best value and convenience.

Budget Surf Camps (S/100-150/night)

Chicama Surf Hotel & Spa: Popular budget-mid option with beachfront location, private/shared rooms, pool, included meals, and in-house surf guide. Rooms S/120-180/night including breakfast, lunch, dinner. Good equipment rentals and boat ride packages.

Casa Luna Chicama: Budget-friendly hostel-style camp with dorm beds S/60-80/night and private rooms S/100-140/night. Meals sold separately (S/30-50 per meal) or cook in shared kitchen. Young backpacker vibe, social atmosphere, basic but clean facilities.

Mid-Range Surf Camps (S/180-250/night)

El Hombre Chicama: Mid-range camp with comfortable rooms, ocean views, excellent meals, surf guides, and professional vibe. Popular with 30-50 age group seeking comfort without luxury prices. All-inclusive packages S/200-230/night (room, three meals, boat rides).

Chicama Surf Resort & Spa: Upgraded facilities with pool, jacuzzi, massage services, and restaurant-bar. Private rooms with A/C and hot water. All-inclusive S/220-280/night depending on season and room type.

Premium Options (S/300+/night)

Chicama Boutique Hotel: Luxury beachfront property with modern rooms, gourmet meals, concierge services, and upscale amenities. Packages S/350-450/night all-inclusive. Small scale (10-12 rooms) creating exclusive atmosphere.

What's Included in Surf Camps

Most Chicama surf camps operate on all-inclusive model providing accommodation, three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), drinking water, WiFi, and communal areas. Some camps include boat ride packages in nightly rate, others charge separately S/100-150/day for unlimited boat access. Clarify what's included when booking. All camps assist with board rentals, surf guides (S/100-150/day), and local knowledge.

What to Pack for Chicama Surf Trip

Non-Surfing Activities and Day Trips

Chan Chan Archaeological Site

The ancient Chimú capital of Chan Chan (20km south of Trujillo) is the world's largest adobe city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with intricate mud-brick architecture dating to 850-1470 CE. Half-day tours from Trujillo cost S/80-120 including transport and guide. Essential cultural experience for history enthusiasts.

Huanchaco Beach Town

Huanchaco, 15km from Trujillo, is a charming beach town famous for caballitos de totora (reed fishing boats used by local fishermen for 3,000+ years). The town offers beginner surf breaks, seafood restaurants, and laid-back atmosphere. Day trip from Malabrigo (taxi S/80-100) or stop en route Trujillo-Malabrigo.

Trujillo City Exploration

Peru's third-largest city Trujillo features beautiful colonial architecture, Plaza de Armas central square, museums, and excellent restaurants. Most surfers spend 1-2 days in Trujillo before/after Chicama sessions exploring the city, shopping for supplies, and adjusting to time zones.

Pacasmayo Surf Town

Pacasmayo, 40km north of Malabrigo, offers another excellent left point break (El Faro) producing 400-800m rides. Less famous than Chicama but quality wave with more consistent beginner-intermediate sections. Day trip or alternate surf destination if Chicama is flat or too crowded.

Peru Surf Culture, Language, and Safety

Language

Spanish is the primary language in Peru with limited English outside tourist areas and surf camps. Learning basic Spanish phrases significantly enhances the experience and helps with logistics. Locals appreciate efforts to speak Spanish even if broken. Most surf camp staff speak some English.

Safety

Malabrigo village is safe with minimal crime due to small population and tight-knit community. Petty theft occasionally occurs so secure valuables in camp safes. Trujillo city requires more caution with pickpocketing in crowded areas; avoid flashing expensive electronics or jewelry.

Ocean safety is the primary concern: cold water 16-20°C causes hypothermia after extended sessions (limit to 2-3 hours), strong currents pull surfers north requiring constant repositioning, long rides create extreme fatigue. Surf within your ability level, always use leash, and know your limits on marathon 1km+ rides.

Surf Etiquette and Localism

Malabrigo locals are welcoming to international surfers as surf tourism provides significant village income. Basic respect and etiquette ensure positive interactions: don't drop in, wait your turn in rotation, share waves, acknowledge good rides with shouts, tip boat drivers fairly (S/10-20), and support local businesses.

Localism is minimal compared to many world-class breaks. The wave's extreme length naturally spreads crowds and reduces lineup tension. Peak season sees more territorial behavior at Point 1 on crowded days, but generally Chicama maintains friendly atmosphere.

Sample Chicama 7-Day Surf Itinerary

Final Thoughts: Is Chicama Worth the Pilgrimage?

Chicama delivers on its promise as the world's longest wave, offering rides of 1-2.2 kilometers that exist nowhere else on Earth. The experience of surfing for 3-4 minutes continuously, connecting four distinct sections across nearly 2 kilometers of coastline, justifies the journey to Peru's remote north coast.

The wave itself is accessible to intermediate surfers willing to build stamina for marathon rides. Unlike ultra-heavy expert-only breaks like Teahupo'o or Pipeline, Chicama's long workable walls allow progressing intermediates to experience world-class conditions. Beginners can enjoy Point 4, while advanced surfers challenge themselves on the full 2km rides from Point 1 to beach.

Budget considerations favor Chicama compared to other bucket-list destinations. Total trip costs of S/2,000-4,500 (US$530-1,190) for 7-10 days undercut Mentawai charters (US$2,000-4,000) or Fiji resorts (US$5,000+) significantly while offering equally world-class waves. Peru's affordable surf camps, included meals, and reasonable boat shuttles create excellent value.

The cold water 16-20°C requiring full 4/3mm wetsuits year-round deters some surfers expecting tropical conditions. Remote location in small fishing village means limited nightlife or tourist infrastructure beyond surf camps. But these factors also preserve the authentic uncrowded experience that makes Chicama special.

For surfers chasing unique experiences and bucket-list waves, Chicama deserves its place alongside Skeleton Bay (Namibia), Superbank (Australia), and Cloudbreak (Fiji) as essential point break destinations. The world-record ride lengths create memories and challenge abilities in ways no other wave can replicate.

Book surf camps 2-4 months advance for April-September peak season, bring quality 4/3mm wetsuit and mid-length board for stamina, budget for boat rides to maximize wave count, and prepare for the longest rides of your life. Chicama's 2-kilometer lefts await.