Chicama - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (March - September)

The heart of the surfing year at Chicama is driven by the relentless pulse of the Southern Ocean. From March through September, the South Pacific roars to life, sending consistent, long-period SSW groundswell hurtling toward the Peruvian coast. This is when the world-famous left-hand point break truly shines, wrapping around the headlands with power and grace. Average wave heights climb from 1.5m in March to a meaty 1.8m from May through September, with periods frequently exceeding 13 seconds. The trade-off, however, lies in the wind regime. While March and April still enjoy a high percentage of ideal offshore winds (S to SSW), the core winter months see a shift to stronger SSE breezes. These winds, though often still offshore for the NW-facing coast, are less predictable and can introduce a touch of texture. Still, when the combination aligns—a solid SSW swell and a morning glass-off—the waves at Chicama are nothing short of epic.

Fair Surf Season (October - February)

As austral spring turns to summer, the size and consistency of the south swell begin to wane. October through December still produce rideable swell, with average heights around 1.4-1.6m and periods in the 12-13 second range, but the most powerful pulses become less frequent. January and February see the smallest average heights of the year (1.3-1.4m), yet this is compensated by the most reliable offshore wind conditions. The percentage of ideal wind (S to SSW) peaks at 88-90% during these months, meaning the waves that do arrive are often glassy, lined-up, and perfect for longboard cruises or groveling on a high-performance shortboard. This is the 'fair' season: smaller but cleaner, offering fun-sized waves when the swell angle is right. November and December can also serve as transition months with decent swell and improving wind.

Low Surf Season (No true low season, but weakest months: November - February)

Chicama rarely goes flat, but the period from November through February represents the seasonal lull in terms of swell energy. The average wave height dips below 1.5m, and the longer-period swells (15s+) become scarce. While the southerly wind flow remains mostly favorable (especially from December through February), the lack of consistent, powerful groundswell means you will be chasing smaller, weaker lines. A good low-pressure system in the South Pacific can still fire up a few days of fun surf, but overall, this is the time to expect a lower chance of truly pumping, firing conditions. Don't let the 'low' label fool you—if you time it right with a passing swell, the offshore breeze can make for some silky-smooth sessions on the smaller waves.

January: Summer Lull, Glassy Mornings

January marks the heart of the Peruvian summer. The average swell height is a modest 1.3m, with a period of 12.1 seconds. Swell direction is overwhelmingly SSW (over 90% of the energy), pushing waves in the 1-1.5m range, with a few bigger sets. This is the smallest swell of the year, but the trade-off is spectacular wind. A whopping 88% of the time, the wind blows from the S, SSE, or SSW at speeds mostly between 10-20 kph, creating textbook offshore conditions for the NW-facing point. Expect small, clean, peeling waves that are ideal for groveling on a fish or a longboard. The low period means less push, but the line-up will be less crowded. Keep an eye on any late-season south swell that can ride up the coast for a rare January treat.