Surfing Chile

Playa Chinchorro is the main surf beach in Arica, Chile's northernmost coastal city. This west-facing beach break offers consistent waves year-round.

La Lisera is a quality right-hand reef break south of Arica. When solid SW swells hit, long walling rights peel along the rock reef.

El Gringo is Chile's most dangerous wave—a left-hand slab that breaks over an impossibly shallow rock shelf in Arica, earning it the nickname "Chilean Pipeline." The wave is so...

El Buey ("The Bull") is a tow-in big wave reef near El Gringo that comes alive when massive SW swells hit Arica. The wave can produce 40-foot faces, making it one of South...

La Brava ("The Wild One") is a left reef break in the Arica heavy wave zone, offering a slightly more approachable option than El Gringo while still delivering quality barrels.

El Laucho is a beginner-friendly beach and reef break south of Arica center, offering mellow waves as an alternative to the heavy slabs nearby. A good warm-up spot before tackling...

Las Machas ("The Razor Clams") is a mellow beach break named for the shellfish found on its shores. A beginner-friendly option in the Arica area with consistent, forgiving waves.

Arenillas Negras ("Black Sands") is a reef break on a distinctive dark volcanic sand beach in Arica. The wave offers quality walls without the intensity of nearby El Gringo.

El Brazo ("The Arm") is a reef and sand hybrid break in the Arica surf zone, offering both lefts and rights depending on sandbar configuration. A versatile option with varied...

Pichilemu is Chile's undisputed surf capital—a collection of world-class point breaks centered around the historic resort town on the country's cold Pacific coast. La Puntilla,...

Matanzas is Chile's premier kitesurfing spot. Surfers: mornings only.

Puertecillo is a quality left point break north of Pichilemu, offering long rides when WSW swells wrap into the bay. A less crowded alternative to the famous breaks further south.

Topocalma is a left point break between Puertecillo and Pichilemu, offering quality waves in a quiet coastal village setting. A good stop on the central Chile surf route.

Pupuya is a consistent beach break north of Topocalma, offering fun waves in a scenic setting. A good intermediate option on the O'Higgins coastline.

Matanzas La Boca is a right point break at the famous kitesurfing town. Unlike the left point (Matanzas), this right works at low tide but requires early morning sessions before...

Cavancha is Iquique's main urban beach. Beginner-friendly beach break with consistent waves year-round.

Huayquique is a quality left-hand point break south of Iquique. 100+ meter rides possible on good days.

El Colegio ("The School") is the heaviest wave in the Iquique slab complex - a thick left that breaks over a shallow reef. The name is ironic, as this wave provides harsh lessons...

Intendencia is a wedging slab in the Iquique heavy wave zone, producing thick, hollow lefts when SW swells wrap into the bay. A step up from beginner waves but not quite as heavy...

Punta Dos ("Point Two") is another heavy slab in the Iquique complex, delivering thick barrels over a shallow reef. Part of the world-class concentration of slabs in this northern...

Hueso de Ballena ("Whale Bone") is a left reef break in Iquique named for whale bones found on the shore. A quality wave that offers a less intense option compared to the heavy...

Punta de Lobos is Chile's crown jewel—a powerful left point break designated as a World Surfing Reserve that produces rides of 800+ meters when massive SW Pacific swells hit the...

La Puntilla is the main surf break in Pichilemu town.

Infiernillo ("Little Hell") is one of Chile's heaviest waves.

Diamante is a beginner-friendly beach break near Punta de Lobos, offering a mellow option when the famous point is too powerful or crowded. A good warm-up spot for the Pichilemu...

Playa Brava is Antofagasta's primary surf beach in Chile's mining region.

La Portada is a quality reef break near the famous natural arch rock formation.

Totoralillo is a quality right-hand point break in a charming fishing village near La Serena.

El Muro ("The Wall") is a right reef section at Totoralillo, offering powerful walls when solid SW swells hit. Part of the quality wave complex at this fishing village.

El Pipe is the hollow left section at Totoralillo, nicknamed after Pipeline for its barrel potential. When SSW swells hit, this section produces the best tubes in the complex.

Maitencillo is a popular beach resort and surf destination within easy reach of Santiago.

Ritoque is a long, exposed beach break with multiple peaks and more space than busier breaks.

Buchupureo is a quality right-hand point in an authentic fishing village.

Cobquecura offers quality waves near a famous sea lion colony.

Constitucion marks the transition into southern Chile's coastline.

Curanipe is a quality left-hand point in a sleepy coastal town.

Los Vilos is a well-known right-hand point break at a small fishing port on the Panamericana.

Renaca is Vina del Mar's most popular surf beach.

Punta Pite is a quality left-hand reef break in the exclusive Zapallar area.

La Boca is a well-known left-hand reef break at the river mouth in Concon.

Iquique is Chile's desert surf capital—a city wedged between the vast Atacama Desert and the cold, powerful Pacific, offering some of South America's most dramatic surf settings....

Pan de Azucar offers uncrowded waves in one of Chile's most beautiful national parks.

Punta de Choros is a remote left-hand point break near the Humboldt penguin reserve.

Lebu is a rugged beach break in the former coal mining region.

Puerto Saavedra sits at the Imperial River mouth in Mapuche territory.

Mehuin is a quality left-hand point at a fishing village near Valdivia.

Roca Cuadrada ("Square Rock") is a big wave left reef near Matanzas that comes alive on massive SW swells. Named for a distinctive square-shaped rock, the wave can produce 30-foot...

Carelmapu is a frontier beach break near the ferry crossing to Chiloe Island, one of the southernmost accessible surf spots in Chile. Cold water, powerful waves, and stunning...