Overview
Pelada is a clutch of small bays breaking over uneven reef and sand. The standout is a righthand reef off the middle of the bay, while a slow, shouldering left at the south end gives improvers something gentler to work with. The bays pick up a bit of shelter from south wind and swell.
When It Works
The righthander comes to life on northwest (NW) swell. It draws swell from south through west-southwest to northwest (S-WSW-NW), and works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. It's moderately consistent, so the fun rip and race walls take some patience, but they're worth the wait when the swell finally lines up.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind. The reef works through mid and high tide, with a rising tide the better call, since that push is part of what switches the righthander on.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate wave, and the take-off zone is tight, a postage-stamp peak that can make the locals twitchy when it's on. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it works. The easiest way out is to ride the rip close to the rocks.
Access
You'll find camping, a surf school, and a surf shop nearby, with free roadside parking.
