Herradurra - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - May)

The heart of the Peruvian summer delivers a dream scenario for Herradurra. A semi-permanent subtropical high settles over the Southeast Pacific, locking in a regime of steady, light to moderate southerly winds. This is your offshore flow, grooming the long-period south swells that march relentlessly up the coast. Average wave heights hover between 1.2 and 1.5 meters with periods consistently above 12.8 seconds, wrapping nicely around the point to produce clean, rippable walls. The combination of reliable morning glass-offs and powerful, organized groundswell makes this the go-to window for consistent quality. Whether you are chasing a fun groveler on a smaller day or a solid shoulder-high set, December through May offers the highest percentage of pristine conditions.

Fair Surf Season (June - September)

Winter grips the Southern Ocean, and Herradurra feels the punch. Swell heights peak in this period, averaging 1.5 meters with a higher frequency of 1.5-2.0 meter sets – some days even flirting with the 2.0-2.5 meter range. The periods remain long (13.0-13.7 seconds), ensuring the energy wraps effectively into the northwest-facing bay. However, the wind regime becomes more volatile. The subtropical high weakens, allowing stronger southerly winds (20-30 km/h) to dominate more often. While still offshore, these stronger gusts can introduce surface chop, making the wave face less pristine than summer. Expect rougher ocean textures and an earlier onshore pick-up as ocean ridges push through. The reward is size and power; the trade-off is a drop in wind clarity. Surfers willing to weather the stronger breeze will find the biggest, most powerful waves of the year.

Low Surf Season (October - November)

Springtime in Peru is a transitional act. The Southern Ocean storm tracks begin to migrate poleward, and swell generation tapers off. Average wave heights settle back to 1.3-1.4 meters, and the period drops slightly to around 13 seconds. The wind also enters a flux, with the percentage of ideal offshore conditions dipping to 75-82% in October before improving again in November. This means more mixed-up conditions: occasional short-period windswell from the north or northwest can spoil the lineup, and the south swell windows become less consistent. It is not a dead zone – there are still good days with long-period groundswell and light offshore winds – but the reliability fades. This is the time to watch the charts closely for those fleeting windows when the Pacific lines up perfectly.

August: Late Winter Grind, Controlled Power

August mirrors July closely. Average swell height remains 1.5 meters with a period of 13.2 seconds. The south-southwest swell accounts for 85.9%, with 33.3% in the 1.5-2.0 meter class and 7.7% in the 2.0-2.5 meter range. A small but noticeable increase in south swell (6.0%) adds variety. Wind conditions are similarly challenging, with 75% ideal. Southerly winds (81.6%) still dominate, and the percentage of 20-30 km/h winds stays high at 21.3%. However, the late-winter pattern often brings more stable pressure gradients, offering cleaner intervals between fronts. The waves retain their long-period punch, and the wrapping lines can be exceptional. August is about picking your moments – watch for a southerly wind dip below 20 km/h. On those days, Herradurra offers world-class winter surf.