For six years now, Chile has been the "Best Adventure Travel Destination" on the planet in the eyes of the world by the World Travel Awards, and among the great adventures offered by this elongated territory with its extreme geography, there is one that stands out above the rest of the world: Chilean surfing. With more than 4,300 kilometers of coastline with all kinds of breaks and different reliefs, Chile receives spectacular waves from the Pacific Ocean throughout the year. These are some of the unmissable ones:
LAS MACHAS: Winter? Arica, in the north of Chile, is almost always the most common choice for surf lovers during the colder months because the temperature stays at an average of 15ºC throughout the year. In this region, one of the best beaches is Las Machas, which is also ideal for first-time surfers, as it has strong currents, but small and long waves that are located close to the shore.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left and right
- Bottom type: Sand
- Surf level: Beginner
- Recommended suit thickness: 3/2 or more
For more experienced surfers, the option in Arica is El Alacrán Island, in front of the Morro de Arica. There the waves can reach more than four meters and a high level of demand.
EL COLEGIO AND LAS URRACAS: The coasts of Iquique are visited throughout the year by wave lovers also because of the good weather of the Tarapacá region. Here the waves of El Colegio and Las Urracas beaches are the perfect spot for high level surfers and the best thing is that both are very close to each other. They have rocky bottoms with marked channels to enter and in winter swells are generated. The El Colegio wave, for example, rises on a rock slab reaching a minimum of 2.5 meters, and 5 to 6 meters during swells. An advantage of the Las Urracas wave is that it operates practically 24 hours a day, regardless of wind or tide.
Characteristics of the El Colegio spot:
- Wave direction: Right
- Type of background: Rocks
- Surf level: Expert
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3
Characteristics of the Las Urracas spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Bottom type: Rock
- Surf level: Expert
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3
TOTORALILLO: This white sand and crystal clear water beach 15 kms from Coquimbo, is a classic for surfers in Chile but also has waves with different names and different characteristics that make it perfect for water sportsmen of all kinds, beyond surfing. But if it is about surfing, Totoralillo is the best option for those who have an intermediate command, because it is close to rocks and has strong waves.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left and right
- Bottom type: Rock
- Surf level: Beginner
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3
PICHICUY: Name from the Mapudungun -Mapuche language-, which means "small bay", is located 137 km north of the capital, belongs to the commune of La Ligua (Valparaiso region) which is known for its wool fabrics and also for having good local cuisine. This area is preferred by those who are beginning to enter the world of surfing.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left and right
- Bottom type: Sand
- Surf level: Beginner
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3
MAITENCILLO: this city is famous for being the beach of the "hippies" in the V region and all year round you can see surfers installed in the sector. The most famous of its waves is El Abanico, the best place for surfing or bodyboarding in this area that includes the beaches of Cachagua and Zapallar. It is surrounded by restaurants and surf schools so that throughout the year it is possible to rent wetsuits and boards or take lessons with high-level instructors. During the summer there are several activities and surf tournaments. The beach is rather cold water but suitable for swimming, and you have to be a little careful with the currents that push towards the rocks.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left and right
- Bottom type: Sand
- Surf level: Beginner
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3
MATANZAS: On the coast of the O'Higgins region, two and a half hours from Santiago, a fishing village became a few years ago the paradise for lovers of water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing. These sports knew how to insert themselves appropriately, without altering the style and beauty of the place. Matanzas, which used to be a purely agricultural and fishing town, today treasures some of the most sought-after waves and wind of the Chilean coast. Its waves fluctuate between 1 and 5 meters and it is considered an ideal place for beginners and advanced surfers.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Bottom type: Sand
- Surf level: Beginner
- Suit recommendation: 4/3
PUERTECILLO: also located in the O'Higgins region, this well-known surf spot was for a long time the best kept secret of surfers in the area. It is one of the most constant and perfect left waves in Chile. It soon became famous because it is also suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers. Originally it had to be reached through a very dangerous dirt road but now it has a much safer access through "La Hacienda".
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Type of bottom: Rock and sand
- Surf level: Intermediate
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3
PICHILEMU: It is known as the surfing capital of the world and is a reference beach for the best surfers in the world. Located in the O'Higgins region, Pichilemu has excellent wind and swell conditions, which make it one of the best places in Chile and the world to practice this sport. Six kilometers south of Pichilemu is Punta de Lobos, where there are waves for all tastes and levels, from beginners to experts. In the Puntilla there are waves from one to four meters and circular current. Infiernillo beach is for more experienced surfers, with waves that can reach up to 12 meters high.
Spot Characteristics:
- Wave direction: Left
- Bottom type: Rock
- Surf level: Expert
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3 + hat and booties.
CONSTITUCIÓN: In the region of Maule is located this beach that has several spots to ride waves. The two best known are Piedra de la Iglesia and Puerto de Maguillines, both waves with different conditions, which allows both advanced athletes and beginners to gather on the same beach to enjoy surfing. What the experts emphasize the most is that here are very good conditions to observe how the tides behave and their current changes, therefore, Constitution is ideal for learning the basics of surfing and practicing the use of the board. For many it is the best place to become a good surfer.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Type of bottom: Rock and sand
- Surf level: Beginner
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3 + hat and booties.
CURANIPE: located in the coastal edge of the province of Cauquenes (Maule region) this bay is called by some surf fans the "Little Pichilemu" and offers an enriching experience for those who try to master its waves. The most classic of its waves is at San Pedro beach; it is long with a sandy bottom, constant, tubular and with a good drop.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Type of bottom: Rock and sand
- Surf level: Beginner
- Suit recommendation: 4/3
PUNTA PULLAY: This coastal sector located on the northern regional border of Biobío, 20 kms north of Cobquecura, is little visited because it is difficult to access with an unmarked dirt road to the point. But the surfers who have arrived have fallen in love with the place because its waves are ideal for the practice of this sport: fast, with a lot of force and run very orderly. Paradise for the most experienced surfers.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Type of bottom: Rock and sand
- Surf level: Intermediate - Advanced
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3 + hat and booties.
BUCHUPUREO: Better known as "Buchu", this beach located in the Ñuble region, 13 kilometers from Cobquecura, has a field, a river, lots of vegetation and even more waves, which fluctuate between 1 and 6 meters, with waves of 2.5 meters being the most frequent, fast and tubular waves in some sections depending on the conditions.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left
- Bottom type: Sand
- Surf level: Intermediate
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3 + hat and booties.
MEHUÍN: It belongs to the commune of San José de la Mariquina and is located about 70 kms northeast of Valdivia (Los Ríos region). Mehuín has a rich Mapuche-Lafkenche culture (people who live by the sea) that seeks to preserve the nature that surrounds them. Its beach is suitable for fishing and has camping sites, is recognized mainly for its long beaches of gray sand, the mouth of the Lingue River and its fishermen's cove, where you can enjoy the best seafood in the region. Tubular waves of more than two meters, which are constant throughout the year, attract the attention of surfers from all over the world.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Left and right
- Bottom type: Sand
- Surf level: Basic
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3 + hat and booties.
MAR BRAVA: One of the southernmost waves in the world is located one hour from Puerto Montt (Los Lagos region), in the town of Carelmapu, which has a 10-kilometer beach where a world-class wave is formed, as certified by international surfing experts: in 2000, the American surfer Michael Bullock found this wave and rode it alone for several years.
Characteristics of the spot:
- Wave direction: Both
- Type of bottom: Rock and sand
- Surf level: Intermediate
- Recommended suit thickness: 4/3 + hat and booties.
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