Reviewed · CANOES & KAYAKS
Stand Up Paddle Board in Lima
The Pacific is your playground here. This Lima stand-up paddleboarding session gives you coastal views from the water, plus a choice between gentle practice and stronger surf, depending on your ability. I like the small-group limit of 10 and the personal coaching from instructors such as Alberto and Kerry. The main caution is simple: insurance is not included, and ocean conditions can make the activity more demanding than the sunny photos suggest.
For $51.29, you get about 90 minutes on the water, a board, paddle, wetsuit, leash, instruction, and pickup from selected hotels in Miraflores. I also like that beginners are not pushed straight into large waves. Still, you should be comfortable with moderate physical activity, and you need to clarify pickup and return arrangements if you stay outside the Miraflores area.
In This Review
- Key points before you book
- Starting from Miraflores and reaching the beach
- Getting fitted with the board and wetsuit
- Your first strokes on calm water
- Moving from flat water into the surf
- What the coaching is really worth
- Is $51.29 good value?
- Safety, swimming, and physical demands
- Who will enjoy this Lima activity most?
- Booking details worth confirming
- Should you book Stand Up Paddleboarding in Lima?
- FAQ
- Where does the stand-up paddleboarding experience take place?
- Can I be picked up from my hotel?
- What information should I provide for hotel pickup?
- Is hotel drop-off included?
- How long does the activity last?
- What equipment is provided?
- Is the activity available in English?
- What is the minimum age?
- Do I need to be able to swim?
- Is insurance included?
- What happens if I am a beginner?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key points before you book

- Choose your level of challenge: Beginners work on balance and small bumps, while stronger paddlers can seek larger breaks with the instructor.
- Miraflores pickup keeps the morning easy: Selected hotels in and around Miraflores may qualify for pickup, though you can also meet at the beach.
- Quality equipment matters: The outfitter has used JP, Fanatic, and Starboard SUP boards, along with Quickblade paddles.
- The coaching gets personal: Groups are capped at 10, and instructors Alberto and Kerry receive especially warm praise for patience and safety.
- Bring your own insurance: No personal insurance is included, a serious point for anyone planning to tackle waves.
- Plan for a wet, active outing: Food, drinks, photos, hotel return transport, and pickup outside the service zone cost extra or require separate arrangements.
Starting from Miraflores and reaching the beach
Your day begins with a departure time chosen during booking. If your hotel is in or around Miraflores and falls within the pickup area, the guide can collect you there. You need to provide the hotel street address, room number, and the name of the person who made the booking.
That level of detail may feel fussy, but it helps avoid a very unhelpful start: waiting outside the wrong hotel in a busy part of Lima. If your accommodation does not qualify, you can meet the guide directly at the beach. The exact beach name is not specified in the booking information, so confirm the meeting point before you leave your hotel.
The ride itself is part of the appeal. From Miraflores, you head toward Lima’s Pacific shoreline, with its high coastal cliffs and surf culture. Once you arrive, you receive an orientation from the instructor before putting on the supplied equipment.
The outing lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. Some past participants describe sessions closer to two hours, but you should plan around the official 90-minute duration rather than counting on extra water time. That makes this easy to fit into a morning or afternoon, though it is not a full-day surf school.
A few more Lima trips worth lining up side by side
- Paddle Yoga in the Green Coast
★ 4.0 · 4 reviews - Rafting Arequipa – Chili River Canoeing – Cusipata Rafting Arequipa
★ 5.0 · 332 reviews - Puerto Maldonado: Sandoval Lake Full-Day Trip with Canoeing
★ 4.5 · 38 reviews
Getting fitted with the board and wetsuit
The price includes the equipment you need for the session: a stand-up paddleboard, paddle, wetsuit, and leash. A wetsuit is especially useful in Lima, where the Pacific water can feel cool even when the city air is mild.
The leash is not a minor detail. It keeps the board connected to you if you fall, but you still need to listen carefully to the instructor’s safety instructions. The orientation should cover basic handling, balance, paddling, and how to manage the board in the water.
Equipment quality appears to be one of the stronger points of this operation. The available board range has included JP, Fanatic, and Starboard SUP models, with Quickblade paddles. That is useful because a beginner needs a stable board, while a more advanced rider may want a board that responds better in surf.
You should not assume you will select any board you want. The instructor’s job is to match the equipment and conditions to your ability. Tell the guide honestly if you are new to SUP, uncomfortable in waves, or have limited swimming confidence.
The minimum age is 10. Everyone should have a moderate level of physical fitness. You will be standing, paddling, balancing, falling, and getting back onto the board, so this is not a passive sightseeing cruise.
Your first strokes on calm water

If you are new to stand-up paddleboarding, the session begins with the basics. You learn how to stand, hold the paddle, move forward, and keep the board pointed in the right direction. The first goal is not speed. It is staying upright long enough to feel how the board moves beneath you.
That early learning curve is part of the fun. Stand-up paddleboarding can look effortless from shore, but your legs and core work constantly to maintain balance. A good instructor gives you simple corrections instead of burying you in technical terms.
Kerry has been praised for providing a safety jacket to people who cannot swim and for offering steady encouragement as they improve. Another instructor, Alberto, is described as patient and clear, with a teaching style that helps first-time paddlers stand up safely early in the session.
Do not read that as a promise that every beginner will be riding waves immediately. Ocean sports depend on conditions, confidence, and coordination. Still, the setup appears well suited to someone who wants a short, friendly introduction rather than a long classroom lecture.
The views are a bonus. From the water, you look back toward Lima’s cliffs and coastline instead of seeing the city only from roads and sidewalks. It is a fresh way to experience Miraflores, even if you spend part of the session sitting or kneeling on the board.
Moving from flat water into the surf
After the introduction, the instructor adjusts the session to your skill level and the day’s conditions. Beginners can work with small bumps and practice the basic techniques. More experienced paddlers can head toward stronger wave breaks and ride alongside professional surfers.
That range is a real advantage for mixed abilities. A couple or family with different experience levels does not necessarily need to split up, since the instructor can set a different goal for each person. The small-group limit also gives the guide a better chance to watch how everyone is handling the water.
The phrase extreme waves should not tempt a beginner into overconfidence. If you have never used a SUP board in surf, calm water and small waves are the right place to start. A large board can be harder to control when a wave turns it sideways, and falling in surf is more demanding than falling on flat water.
For advanced riders, this is more than a basic rental. The equipment selection includes boards for beginner through advanced levels, and Alberto has experience choosing locations based on swell and conditions. That local judgment is valuable because the best place to paddle is not always the most famous beach.
The activity is still short. At roughly 90 minutes, you get a taste of Lima’s surf rather than a full training program. Strong paddlers who want a longer outing, several locations, or a dedicated surf trip should ask Team Surf Peru about separate arrangements.
Also leaving from Lima, and nothing like the above:
- Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast
★ 5.0 · 7,380 reviews - Full Day Tour From Lima: Paracas and Huacachina Oasis
★ 5.0 · 3,694 reviews - Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour
★ 5.0 · 1,845 reviews - Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)
★ 5.0 · 1,508 reviews
What the coaching is really worth
The guide is the heart of this experience. A board and paddle can be rented almost anywhere, but an instructor who watches your balance, chooses a manageable section of water, and explains what to do after a fall can change the entire outing.
Alberto receives particularly strong praise for his safety focus, local ocean judgment, and ability to match people with suitable equipment. Kerry is singled out for encouragement and care, including attention to less confident swimmers. These details matter more than a polished sales description, especially when you are trying an ocean sport in a city you do not know well.
The group cap of 10 is another practical advantage. Ten is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large beach class. If the full group arrives with mixed abilities, some waiting may still occur while the instructor helps other paddlers.
You should also ask who will lead your specific departure if having Alberto or Kerry matters to you. The information identifies them as instructors associated with the operation, but it does not promise a particular guide for every booking.
One useful detail from the equipment experience is that videos may be available for purchase. That can be worthwhile if standing on your first wave is a personal milestone. It is not included in the price, so decide before the session if you want footage rather than making a rushed decision afterward.
Is $51.29 good value?
At $51.29 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a guided introduction with equipment and transport assistance from Miraflores. You are paying for more than board hire: the package includes a wetsuit, leash, paddle, instructor, and possible hotel pickup.
The value improves if you are a first-timer. Buying or arranging the right board, finding a suitable beach, and judging surf conditions on your own would take more effort and carry more risk. A short lesson gives you a controlled way to test whether SUP suits you.
The value is less clear if you already know the sport and only want time on flat water. In that case, you may not need a full lesson, though access to quality boards and local guidance can still justify the cost.
Food and drinks are not included. Souvenir photos cost extra, and hotel pickup is not available outside the designated zone. Hotel drop-off is also not listed among the included services, so confirm how you will return to Miraflores before booking. The description indicates a hotel return in the general itinerary, but the inclusion details specify pickup only.
You should also compare the price with the duration. This is not a cheap full-day adventure. It is a compact activity that fits around museum visits, lunch, or other plans in Lima. Book it for the water experience and instruction, not for an entire day of surfing.
Safety, swimming, and physical demands
The activity requires moderate physical fitness. You need enough balance and strength to stand on the board, paddle repeatedly, and climb back on after falling. Even beginners should expect to get wet.
The minimum age is 10, and children should be comfortable following instructions. A parent or guardian should make an honest assessment of the child’s swimming ability and confidence around moving water.
A safety jacket is available for people who cannot swim, according to the activity details provided by the operator. That is helpful, but it does not turn the session into a no-risk activity. A flotation aid is not a replacement for careful instruction or personal judgment.
The largest safety gap is insurance. No personal insurance is included, and advanced surfers are specifically advised to arrange their own coverage before taking on stronger waves. If you plan to paddle into serious surf, check that your policy covers the activity. Many ordinary travel policies exclude higher-risk water sports.
Listen when the instructor tells you which water is appropriate. The best session is not necessarily the one with the biggest waves. For a beginner, a calm start and small bumps may provide more useful learning than an ambitious attempt that leaves you tired and discouraged.
Who will enjoy this Lima activity most?
I would recommend this experience to:
- First-time SUP users who want instruction instead of a simple rental
- Couples or families with mixed ability levels
- Active visitors staying in Miraflores
- Intermediate and advanced paddlers who want local help choosing a surf area
- People looking for a short outdoor activity with strong coastal views
It is less suitable if you dislike cold water, have very limited physical fitness, or want a quiet sightseeing trip without falling into the Pacific. It may also disappoint if you expect a long surf expedition or guaranteed large waves.
The experience has particular appeal for someone who cannot easily rise from a traditional surf position. SUP allows you to start standing, which can make the sport more accessible for some people with physical limitations. You should still discuss your own mobility and medical needs with the operator before booking, since no accessibility details are provided.
Booking details worth confirming
Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity is often reserved well ahead of time, arranging it early is sensible if your Lima schedule is fixed.
The ticket is mobile, and the instruction is offered in English. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead, or a late change, is not eligible for a refund.
Before paying, confirm these points:
- The exact beach meeting point
- Whether your Miraflores hotel qualifies for pickup
- How you will return after the session
- The likely water conditions for your chosen departure
- Whether the guide recommends calm water or surf for your experience
- Any insurance requirements for advanced riding
That quick check can prevent the most common sources of confusion. The experience itself is simple. The meeting arrangements are the part that deserves careful attention.
Should you book Stand Up Paddleboarding in Lima?
Book it if you want a short, coached ocean activity with good equipment, Miraflores access, and a real chance to see Lima from the water. The strongest reasons are the small group, flexible difficulty level, and instructors who place clear importance on safety and gradual progress.
I would choose the beginner option if this is your first SUP session, even if you are generally fit. More experienced paddlers should ask about current surf conditions and the board available for their level. Do not book the larger waves without personal insurance and honest confidence in your ocean skills.
At $51.29, this is a fair way to try Lima’s Pacific coast without committing to a full surf trip. Just confirm transport details, remember that extras are not included, and treat the 90-minute schedule as the firm expectation. If those limits suit you, Team Surf Peru offers a practical and enjoyable way to add water, exercise, and cliff-top views to a Lima visit.
FAQ
Where does the stand-up paddleboarding experience take place?
It takes place on Lima’s Pacific coastline, with the exact beach meeting point confirmed through the operator or guide.
Can I be picked up from my hotel?
Pickup is available from selected hotels in and around Miraflores. If your hotel is outside the pickup zone, you can meet the guide directly at the beach.
What information should I provide for hotel pickup?
Provide the hotel street address, room number, and the name of the person who booked the room.
Is hotel drop-off included?
Hotel pickup is listed as included, but hotel drop-off is not listed among the inclusions. Confirm your return arrangements before the session.
How long does the activity last?
The stated duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Some session descriptions have referred to around two hours, but you should plan around the official 90-minute duration.
What equipment is provided?
The price includes a SUP board, paddle, wetsuit, and leash.
Is the activity available in English?
Yes. The experience is offered in English.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 10 years.
Do I need to be able to swim?
The activity information states that a safety jacket can be provided if you cannot swim. You should still tell the instructor about your swimming ability and follow all safety guidance.
Is insurance included?
No. Personal insurance is not included. Advanced surfers are advised to arrange their own insurance before taking part.
What happens if I am a beginner?
You receive an orientation and practice basic paddling and balance skills. Beginners generally work in calmer water or on smaller bumps, while more advanced participants may use stronger waves.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not eligible for a refund.
Added recently around Lima
- Yoga Classes in Miraflores, Lima★ 4.5 · 20 reviews
- Magic Water Circuit Tour★ 4.0 · 5 reviews
- Private Walking Tour Lima Heritage Downtown Half Day★ 4.5 · 12 reviews
- Wonders of Peru & Huaraz 16-Day Tour★ 5.0 · 8 reviews
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus★ 4.5 · 11 reviews
- Visit to the Larco Museum in Lima★ 5.0 · 5 reviews
- Guided Tours in Colonial and Modern Lima★ 5.0 · 54 reviews
- Bizarre Foods Tour for Adventurous Foodies★ 5.0 · 9 reviews
Canoes & Kayaks, compared.

Rafting Arequipa – Chili River Canoeing – Cusipata Rafting Arequipa
Read our review →
3 Hours of Route during Sunset in Kayak by Lake Titicaca
Read our review →
Canopy Tower, Zipline, Kayak, and Monkey Island …
Read our review →
Tambopata: Zipline Adventure & Kayak to Monkey Island
Read our review →
Day Kayaking at Southern Uros Islands + local lunch
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in



