Surfing Makaha: The Complete Guide

Makaha is a point break located in Miraflores, Lima, Peru, offering a left-hander along South America's vast coastline. Makaha is the closest quality wave to central Lima, breaking below the cliffs of upscale Miraflores district. Rated as intermediate difficulty with crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SSW (195°), with workable conditions from S to SW (175°–220°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Makaha needs a minimum of 0.6m / 2ft to start working and handles swells up to 2m / 7ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans NE to SE (50°–130°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides. Optimal tide range is 0.3m–1.5m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Makaha runs March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Mar–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens November, December, January, February (Nov–Feb). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Year-round urban surf. Best mornings.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 17°C / 63°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is LIM, roughly 20 minutes by car.

Access: Below Miraflores cliffs. Stairway access.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded
🚫 Pollution — Water quality issues
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup

Urban pollution. Very crowded.

Safety Tips:

Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds
Avoid surfing after heavy rain. Cover any open cuts before entering the water

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (4/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (7/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Makaha? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Makaha is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*