Piura - South

10 Surf spots
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Positives
  • World-class lefts
  • Mostly uncrowded
  • Regular offshores
  • Pristine natural area
  • Amazing wildlife
Negatives
  • Heavy line-ups and rips
  • 4WD only & other access issues
  • Expensive eco-lodge
  • Zero facilities
  • El Nino risk

Piura - South surf travel guide

In a country boasting over 2,400km (1500mi) of surf-pounded coastline with relatively few surfers, it’s not too much of a hassle finding quality, uncrowded surf. Heading towards remote Bayovar seems unnecessary when the ultra-long rides of Chicama are just a few hours south and the deep tubes of Cabo Blanco a few hours north. However, persistent rumours of 10ft barrels reeling off in the Sechura desert are enough to lure the hard-core surfers to this vast desert region where the sand meets the sea.

Conditions are extremely harsh and for the most part, untouched by tourists, because accessing the waves in the Illescas National Reserve is not easy, leaving daily activity to the companies that operate a pipeline bringing petroleum from the Amazon basin or tapping into one of the largest phosphate deposits in the world. Paita is the only real “coastal resort” in the area as it provides a port and accessible beaches for Piura, the fifth largest city in the country, 50km (30mi) inland.

Surf spots in Piura - South

Research the 10 surf breaks in Piura - South and discover what spots suit the current conditions.

Break lowdown

We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 10 breaks in Piura - South.

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When to go

Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Piura - South

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Travel Information

General
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Tourists
4,419,000
Population
32,971,854
Tourist Info
Tourist Info

Security

Health

Money
Currency
PEN
Exchange rate
$1 = 3.18 PEN PEN

Cost of living

Communication
Dialing in
+51
Dialing out
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Language
Spanish, Quechua
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Visas

Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 183 days. EU countries get 90 days.

Getting There

Several airlines fly daily from Lima (LIM) to Piura (PIU). Bayovar is 120km (75mi) from Piura by road so the transfer to the Ecolodge is quite expensive. The bus journey from Lima to Piura takes 18hrs and costs min $30 each way. If driving from Chicama it will take about 6hrs to get to Bayovar, which is another 4hrs from Lobitos.

Getting Around

Renting a 4x4 in Piura ($90/d) is essential to negotiate the trails that lead to Punta Nonura and the other beaches around Bayovar. Bayovar is three hours from the city of Paita. Just getting into the Illescas National Reserve is a feat as the Ecolodge control access for guests only. Workers at the scallop farm use the same access roads, but wont be happy letting surfers in through the 2 or 3 locked gates that prevent access. Some surfers with the right connections will be let in while others have sailed in to surf Nonura on a swell. Basically, you need to know someone who can get the gates open.

Accommodation

The Punta Luna Ecolodge is $220/n including all food, but you must either get there in your own 4x4 or pay for an expensive 3hr transfer from Piura airport. Staying in Bayovar (aka Puerto Rico) is not advised as it is a rough town with one hotel, usually full of miners, oil workers or fishermen and has a reputation for pistolleros. Otherwise, it is camping and you must bring all food and water supplies from Piura and hope nothing goes wrong. Hotel Náutico de Paita ($20/dbl) or rent a bungalow in Playa Colán Lodge (fr $100). Gustatory delights include baby goat and rice, and seco de chevalo (pork, rice and plantains).

Activities
cultureoutdoorurbanwatersports

There's great diving in places like Colán, Punta Bapo and Isla Lobos de Tierra. Yacila and Colán are beautiful beaches in Paita, but lack good surf. Witness archaeological remains of the Vicœs Culture, masters of ceramics and goldsmithing, in Catacaos. The Virrilá estuary is a bird (watching) paradise. From the eco lodge you can see humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, multitudes of fish, vultures, pelicans, eagles, hawks, blue-footed boobys, seabirds, desert foxes and god knows what if you look hard enough.

Hazards & hassles

Crowds or localism definitely won't be a problem, although the guys who surf Nonura will expect you to be an experienced heavy tube rider and not cause any situations out in the middle of nowhere, at least 3hrs from medical help.

Avoid running out of fresh water or food, getting lost, or stuck in the sand. Driving skills on unpaved or sand roads are recommended - travelling in convoy is recommended. Download maps as signal is patchy. Wild animals may steal food.

Handy Hints

Be environmentally aware - recent complaints about surfers leaving litter and not using adequate latrines could jeopardise the issuing of permits, which are required for some of the distant and virgin beaches. Before driving on sand, deflate tyres to avoid getting stuck. Try to go with someone that already has good knowledge of the area.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.

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