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Home / Beaches / Playa Punta Azul

Playa Punta Azul

Пляж Пунта-Азуль
Peru · Beach · Punta Sal
crystal
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children and couples seeking a quiet holiday on a warm and clean beach with soft sand and calm water. Suitable for snorkelling, kayaking and swimming. Not suitable for those seeking a secluded wild beach.

Best month

January

Water
+25.0°C
Length
2 000 m
Playa Punta Azul is one of the three sectors of Punta Sal, distinguished by its crystal-clear turquoise water. Soft sand and a gentle sea entry make it popular among families with children.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Punta Azul is one of the three sectors of Punta Sal, distinguished by its crystal-clear turquoise water. Soft sand and a gentle sea entry make it popular among families with children.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White fine sand
  • Warm water all year round (24-26°C)
  • Calm sea, ideal for swimming
  • Rich marine fauna: dolphins, turtles, whales
  • Developed infrastructure of hotels and restaurants
  • Picturesque sunsets
  • One of the best snorkelling beaches in Peru

Cons

  • The beach is part of the larger Punta Sal resort area
  • Can be crowded in high season
  • Limited infrastructure on the beach itself
  • Mosquitoes and sandflies in the evening
  • Can be windy in some seasons
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and couples seeking a quiet holiday on a warm and clean beach with soft sand and calm water. Suitable for snorkelling, kayaking and swimming. Not suitable for those seeking a secluded wild beach.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach is part of one of Peru-s longest and warmest coastal areas, with 6 kilometres of white sand. The waters of Punta Sal are known for their exceptional clarity (visibility up to 10-15 metres) and rich marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles and humpback whales (in season).
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
2 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Underwater Visibility
12.0 m
Average Water Temp
+25.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
moderate
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
15.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. The beach is located in a popular tourist area with a low crime rate.
Dangerous creatures
Sharks (including tiger sharks, rare near shore)
Sea urchins
Stingrays
Mosquitoes
Sandflies
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Punta Sal Restaurants

Peruvian

Hotel and beach restaurants with fresh seafood and local cuisine

Local cevicherías

Seafood

Local cevicherías with fresh fish and seafood

Beach bars

International

Beach bars with snacks and cocktails

Nearby cuisines

Peruvian

Traditional Peruvian cuisine with emphasis on seafood and rice

Must try: Ceviche, arroz con mariscos, chicharrón de pescado

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean

Must try: Ceviche, prawns, squid, grilled fish
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Headwear Cash (Peruvian soles)
Best Time to Swim
The best time for swimming is from December to April when the water is warmest and calmest. In the morning the water is calmer, and in the evening you can enjoy the sunset.
Local Rules
Swimming is allowed only in the designated area. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in summer season. Take all litter with you.
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Punta Sal Chica

Picturesque curved bay protected by two rocky headlands, with white sand

Punta Sal Grande

The longest and most visited sector of the Punta Sal resort area

Tumbes Mangroves

National reserve with a unique ecosystem and rich fauna

Tumbes

Town with historic centre and harbour, 81 km from the beach

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Punta Azul: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +25.0°C, warms up to +28.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Punta Azul: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Punta Azul: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Punta Azul: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 2 000 metres.
Playa Punta Azul: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Punta Azul: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — moderate. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Punta Azul: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: Sharks (including tiger sharks, rare near shore), Sea urchins, Stingrays, Mosquitoes, Sandflies. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Punta Azul: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Punta Azul: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Punta Azul: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Punta Sal Restaurants, Local cevicherías, Beach bars. Cuisines available: Peruvian, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Punta Azul: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Headwear, Cash (Peruvian soles).
Playa Punta Azul: when is the best time to swim?
The best time for swimming is from December to April when the water is warmest and calmest. In the morning the water is calmer, and in the evening you can enjoy the sunset.
Playa Punta Azul: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is allowed only in the designated area. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in summer season. Take all litter with you.
Playa Punta Azul: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Punta Azul: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and couples seeking a quiet holiday on a warm and clean beach with soft sand and calm water. Suitable for snorkelling, kayaking and swimming. Not suitable for those seeking a secluded wild beach.
Playa Punta Azul: what makes this beach unique?
The beach is part of one of Peru-s longest and warmest coastal areas, with 6 kilometres of white sand. The waters of Punta Sal are known for their exceptional clarity (visibility up to 10-15 metres) and rich marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles and humpback whales (in season).
Playa Punta Azul: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White fine sand, Warm water all year round (24-26°C), Calm sea, ideal for swimming, Rich marine fauna: dolphins, turtles, whales, Developed infrastructure of hotels and restaurants, Picturesque sunsets, One of the best snorkelling beaches in Peru. Cons: The beach is part of the larger Punta Sal resort area, Can be crowded in high season, Limited infrastructure on the beach itself, Mosquitoes and sandflies in the evening, Can be windy in some seasons.
Playa Punta Azul: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Punta Sal Chica, Punta Sal Grande, Tumbes Mangroves, Tumbes. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Punta Azul: how do I get to the city of Punta Sal?
The beach is located near the city of Punta Sal. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Punta Sal.

City

Punta Sal

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.