Makaha

Makaha, Lima, Peru is one of the better-known surf spots in the city, located in the district of Miraflores along Lima’s famous Costa Verde. It’s a beachbreak/reef-influenced point-style setup that gets consistent waves thanks to the Pacific swells that hit Peru’s coastline year-round.

What it’s like

• Wave type: Typically a fast, punchy left with occasional rights, depending on swell and sand/reef conditions.
• Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers. It can be friendly on smaller days, but when the swell builds it becomes more powerful and technical.
• Bottom: Mostly rock/reef and sand mix, so it can be a bit shallow in places.
• Consistency: Fairly reliable compared to many urban spots, especially during the South Pacific swell season.

Conditions

• Swell: Works best with southerly to southwesterly swells.
• Wind: Offshore winds often come from the east or southeast, while strong onshores can make it messy.
• Tide: Tides affect it quite a bit; some tides make it faster and hollower, while others soften it up.

Atmosphere

Makaha sits right below the cliffs and boardwalks of Miraflores, giving it a very urban surf vibe. You’ll often see a mix of: - local surfers - bodyboarders - longboarders on smaller days - spectators walking along the Malecón above

Things to know

• The wave can be crowded, especially on weekends and during good swell.
• Because of the shallow/rocky sections, wipeouts can be unforgiving.
• It’s a great place if you want a surf spot that’s easy to access from central Lima.