Boca del Rio is a small recreation town near Tacna, fronted by a run of beaches with well-formed peaks. There's a wide choice of waves here, from beachbreaks to reefbreaks, though rides tend to stay short. It also marks the start of a long, almost straight stretch of coast that runs down to Arica in Chile.
When It Works
The peaks break over a mix of uneven reef and sand and throw both lefts and rights. Swell arrives from south through west, with southwest swell the best match, and the spot is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. It stays consistent, so there's usually something to ride.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast offshore wind. It works across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a friendly setup for beginners, and the lineup usually stays fairly quiet. Just keep in mind that this is one long beach all the way to the border, so currents can sweep along the coast.
