Located in Piura, Peru, Punta Panico is an excellent left-hand point break that offers up powerful, heaving barrels. This spot is suitably named; the waves are sketchy and break over sharp, barnacle-covered rocks. The sections come quite fast, and the point handles size very well.
What are the best surf conditions for Punta Panico?
Punta Panico gets good between chest-high and triple overhead. We recommend riding a shortboard or stepping up as the size picks up. This break is suitable for advanced-level surfers. The surf here usually has something to ride (5/10) and is dominated by a small local crew (6/10). The best winds are from the southeast. The best swells are from the south, southwest, and west. Punta Panico works best on a mid to high tide.
We recommend wearing boardshorts or a bikini in the summer when water temperatures rise to 23°C (73°F). In the winter, a 3/2 wetsuit is best when water temperatures drop to 18°C (64°F). See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
