Playa Grande, located in Ancash, Peru, is a surf spot that can be seen from the North Panamericana highway near Km 336. To reach it, you'll need to take a sand-road detour of about 1 kilometer. This spot is somewhat isolated, which helps keep the crowds away, making it a nice getaway for surfers looking for a challenging surf day.
This spot offers good righthand beachbreaks and a standout lefthand reefbreak that really comes alive with S-SW swells. It can handle swell sizes around 5 feet (1.5 meters). The reef breaks over an uneven surface, and you can expect fast, short waves that can be tubular. The take-off is steep, leading into a slabby barrel that is quite powerful and not for the faint-hearted. Experts should come prepared, as the wave can be dangerous, especially with the extreme shallowness at high tide. The best conditions tend to show up with an east wind and during mid to high tides.
Given that Playa Grande is not often crowded and has some challenging rips, it's a good idea to be cautious if you’re not fully experienced. This spot tends to reward those who know what they’re doing, so make sure to check the surf report before heading out.