Located in Punta Hermosa, Peru, Penascal is a quality reef break that offers up a big wave right-hander, both powerful and mean. The waves here require your A-game and respect, breaking for up to 100 meters (about 328 feet) over a rock bottom. The wave can barrel on the right swell, but beginners and the unconfident should steer well clear. The rocks are covered with skin-ripping barnacles.
What are the best surf conditions for Penascal?
Penascal gets good between head high and triple overhead. We recommend riding a step-up, rhino chaser, then gun as the size picks up. This break is suitable for very good intermediates and advanced-level surfers. The surf here is pretty consistent (6/10) and will get busy at peak times (5/10). The best winds are from the Northeast. The best swells are from the South and Southwest. Works on a low to mid-tide best.
We recommend wearing a spring suit in the summer when water temperatures rise to about 20°C (about 68°F). In the winter, a 3/2 is best when water temps drop to 16 degrees. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
