Located in Ancash, Peru, Centinela is a world-class left-hand point break that offers up rippable and long walls for the local crew and visiting crowds. The waves here can be difficult and heavy, breaking for up to 500 meters (about 1640 ft) over boulders on the outside and sand on the inside. There are 4 distinct sections with the outside being the most difficult; backwash off the cliff can be tricky. Watch out for rips and theft on the beach. It’s easy to get lost getting here, lots of dirt tracks.
What are the best surf conditions for Centinela?
Centinela gets good between waist-high and triple overhead. We recommend riding a longboard when smaller and a shortboard then stepping up as the size increases. This break is suitable for intermediate and advanced-level surfers. The surf here is somewhat consistent (5/10) and will generally have a crew, crowded on weekends (7/10). The best winds are from the Northeast. The best swells are from the West, although the Northwest will work. Works best on a low to mid-tide.
We recommend wearing boardshorts or a bikini in the summer when water temperatures rise to 22°C (about 72°F). In the winter, a 3/2 wetsuit is best when water temperatures drop to 16°C (about 61°F). See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
