Malabrigo (Peru) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malabrigo Puerto Chicama
Malabrigo Beach
Malabrigo Location in Peru
Country	Peru
Region	La Libertad Region
Province	Ascope
District	Razuri
Elevation	12 m (39 ft)
Population  (2005)
• Demonym	Malabrigueño (a)
Time zone	UTC-5 (PET)

Malabrigo, also known as Puerto Chicama, is a small port town on the coast of northwestern Peru. It's located in the La Libertad Region, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of the city of Trujillo. This town is famous for the incredible Chicama wave. It's the first wave in the world to be legally protected, and it's also known as the world's longest left-breaking wave!

The Amazing Chicama Waves

The waves at Chicama are very special. Locals have given different names to parts of the wave, like "Malpaso," "Keys," "The Point," and "El Hombre." "The Point" is the most famous part and is considered the best for surfing.

How Long Do the Waves Break?

The wave at "The Point" can break for about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles). To ride it even longer, all the way to the pier (about 2.2 kilometers or 1.4 miles), the ocean swell needs to be very big, which doesn't happen often.

What Are Chicama Waves Like?

The Chicama wave is well-shaped and fast. It breaks over soft sand, which is good for surfers. It's not usually a "tube" wave (where the wave curls over completely), and it's not super powerful unless the swell is very large. Generally, the bigger the waves, the better they are for surfing. The main point can handle waves that are at least 10 feet (3 meters) high. The wave sometimes speeds up and slows down, so it's rare to ride a single wave for the entire length of "The Point."

Surfing in Malabrigo

Malabrigo is a great place for surfing, but it has some unique conditions.

Wind and Swell Conditions

The winds in Malabrigo are almost always blowing offshore. This means the wind blows from the land towards the ocean, which helps to create smooth, clean waves. However, the ocean swell (the energy that creates waves) is not always consistent. It needs a good, strong swell for the waves to break properly. Days with waves taller than a person's head are not very common.

Wave Size and Strength

As a general rule, the waves at the main point in Malabrigo are about half the size of what you might see on open ocean swell charts. If the waves at the point are less than about 4 feet (1.2 meters) high, they tend to be quite weak and slow.

Best Time to Surf

The best time to surf in Malabrigo is from around Easter Week (called Semana Santa in Spanish) and through the winter months in the southern hemisphere, usually until about September. During this time, big storms in the Roaring Forties (a windy area in the southern ocean) send their wave energy towards Peru, creating bigger swells.

Water Temperature and Climate

The water in Malabrigo is cool, usually between 17–22 °C (63–72 °F). This is because of cold ocean currents coming from the south. The climate on land is warm and spring-like, ranging from 15–28 °C (59–82 °F). However, the wind can make it feel colder due to something called the venturi effect, which happens when wind speeds up around the headland. It's a good idea to wear a 2–3 mm wetsuit and booties (special shoes for surfing) when you're in the water.

Getting to Malabrigo

Malabrigo is about 560 kilometers (348 miles) north of Lima if you travel by air. If you're driving from the city of Trujillo, it's about 94 kilometers (58 miles) northwest, which takes about an hour and a half. You can reach Malabrigo by taking a 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) detour at Paiján, which is at Kilometer 614 of the North Pan-American Highway. Many tour companies and guides can help you get there. You can also find buses and shared taxis from Lima and Trujillo.

Places to Stay and See

In Malabrigo itself, you can find basic places to stay and eat. There's also a fancy surf resort called Chicama Surf Resort right on "The Point" for surfers. If you need more modern services, you can find them in the city of Trujillo. While in Trujillo, you might want to visit Huanchaco to see traditional fishermen. They ride the waves on special reed fishing boats called "Caballitos de Totora," which might be the oldest form of surfing still practiced today!

See also

In Spanish: Malabrigo (Perú) para niños