The Surf Window

Cancas

Tumbes, Peru

Point breakIntermediate

A sleepy fishing cove just south of the Ecuador border in Peru, Cancas is about as raw and authentic as Pacific coast surfing gets, a handful of locals, consistent beach break, and nothing but ocean, desert, and sky.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size1–2m at 12–14s

Wind

S

Light to SE under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Jun–Oct

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Peaks with rights and lefts

Length

40–80m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate surfers
  • •Why: Consistent but not powerful, reward for making the effort to get here

Hazards

  • •Very remote, no services
  • •River mouth after rain brings debris
  • •Cold water from the Humboldt even at this latitude

Local Tips

  • •Getting here requires a taxi or colectivo from Tumbes, it's worth the journey
  • •The border region between Peru and Ecuador is one of the most underexplored in South America
  • •Bring your own food and water, there is nothing here

Location

Map showing the location of Cancas in Tumbes, Peru

-3.7500, -80.7167