Surf Spots

Algarrobo

Central Chile, Chile

Andrómeda

Northern Chile, Chile

Arenillas Negras

Northern Chile, Chile

Buchupureo

Sur, Chile

Buchupureo's main break is a left-hand rivermouth at La Boca, where water flow shapes a sandy bottom into long, hollow walls that peel in two or three distinct sections. Southwest swells between 3 and 12 feet work best, with offshore winds from the east and south winds both providing clean conditions. The wave can offer tube rides of ten seconds or more on good days, though the break's sand bar shifts seasonally, making consistency variable. The best window sits around mid to high tide when the sand holds proper shape; low tide provides the deepest barrels but less forgiving walls. Intermediate to advanced surfers find the most success, though the hollow, fast-moving walls demand respect and local knowledge. The spot's rise in popularity is relatively recent, gaining attention as comparisons to Mundaka spread through the surf community. The rivermouth composition—sand over a bar rather than reef or point—creates structural similarities to the famous Spanish left-hander, drawing increasing crowds and generating hype. This sandbar nature also means the break's performance depends heavily on seasonal sand movement and storm-driven changes, so not every season delivers the same quality windows. Access from Cobquecura involves a 50-minute drive south along the coastal road toward Curanipe, followed by a short walk to the beach. The location sits in the Ñuble Region about 13 kilometers north of Cobquecura, surrounded by forest and farmland with a mix of sand and pebbled beach backed by rocky outcrops. Four-wheel drive helps on rougher sections of the road, particularly during wet months.

Budeo

Northern Chile, Chile

Caleta Los Piures

Chile

Cap Ducal

Central Santiago, Chile

Cap Ducal is a left-hand rivermouth break requiring experienced surfers, producing fast-moving waves that typically work best between 6 and 8 feet. The break benefits from low to mid tide and prefers wind and swell from the southern and western quadrants; June tends to offer the most consistent conditions. Rocks and pollution remain genuine hazards at this spot. The Viña del Mar region, where Cap Ducal sits, has been part of Chile's surfing activity since the early 1970s when nearby Ritoque began attracting surfers; however, I found no documented history specific to Cap Ducal itself—no known competitions, landmark sessions, or surfers particularly associated with this break. Cap Ducal is accessed via Avenida La Marina in Viña del Mar near the landmark hotel of the same name, which sits prominently on the rocks with distinctive ship-like architecture. Free parking is available nearby, and the break lies within easy reach of central Viña del Mar's facilities and beach infrastructure. The spot tends to see light crowds.

Copec

Central Chile, Chile

Cueva del Toro

Southern Chile, Chile

Deportivo

Central Chile, Chile

Derecharcha

Northern Chile, Chile

El Brazo

Tarapaca, Chile

El Brazo is a reef-sand hybrid breaking between the Alacrán Peninsula and the port to its north, producing a hollow, fast wave with a fatter face than the more intense El Gringo nearby. Both left and right waves work here, with the break performing best at low tide over an uneven, rocky reef covered with sand, suitable for intermediate surfers though it requires an advanced level when swell sizes exceed two meters. The spot works consistently with southwest swell and southeast winds; winter provides the most reliable conditions. It holds waves up to about two meters and remains uncrowded even on good days, making sessions relatively easy to find without competition for waves. El Brazo sits on the northern tip of the Alacrán Peninsula, roughly two to three kilometers from central Arica—a 20 to 30-minute walk following Avenida Comandante San Martín, which connects to a man-made causeway linking the former island to the mainland. The break is accessible by taxi, local bus, or bicycle, with free access to Alacrán and public facilities including restrooms. Hazards include rocks and rips that require awareness when paddling out.

El Buey

Tarapaca, Chile

El Buey is an offshore A-frame reef break that generates powerful, tubular waves across left and right-hand peaks. It only begins producing quality waves at 8 feet and excels in the 8–20 foot range, though the reef regularly holds much larger swells, with recorded faces reaching 40 feet during major Southern Ocean swell events. The left-hander locks into fast barrels while the right wall forms steep, roller-coaster sections. Best conditions arrive during autumn through spring with long-period southwest to south-southwest swells, particularly when east offshore winds groom the faces during low to mid tide. The reef demands jet-ski tow-in assistance for larger swells, as the steep takeoffs and powerful walls make paddle access impractical beyond minor conditions. Rip currents and a rocky, shallow bottom create genuine hazards suited only to expert big-wave surfers willing to operate with safety support. Late-1970s Peruvian and Chilean surfers first explored the Arica area's reef breaks, though they initially focused on more approachable beachbreaks before progressing to El Buey's heavy tubes as skill and equipment improved. The spot gained wider recognition after the 2007 Rip Curl Search competition brought international big-wave competitors to Arica, and documented visits by established figures including Fletcher Chouinard (Patagonia co-founder and FCD Surfboards designer) reinforced its standing as a premier South American big-wave destination. El Buey breaks approximately 700 meters offshore from Playa El Laucho in Arica, Chile's northernmost coastal city in the Tarapacá region. Jet skis provide the primary and most reliable access to the lineup, though paddling from the beach is possible during smaller swells despite the distance and occasional closeouts. Arica sits roughly 16 kilometers from Chacalluta International Airport and offers tourist infrastructure including the Mirador El Buey Surf Hostel, which caters specifically to big-wave pursuit.

intermediate · advanced · gun

El Claron

Central Santiago, Chile

El Claron's primary break, called La Punta locally, is a left-hand point that comes alive with large southern swells paired with easterly winds. The wave runs fast and hollow, reaching around 10 feet in favorable conditions, and breaks across a base of rocks surfaced with sand. Lower tide stages offer the cleanest shape. Though the point extends considerably, surfing concentrates on two main zones: the outer section of the point and an inside area where the wave thins out. This is intermediate-to-advanced terrain; submerged rocks throughout the break require careful positioning. Puchuncaví lies roughly 115 kilometers north of Santiago, accessible via Ruta 5 to Nogales then west to the coast, sitting about 7 kilometers from Quintero in the Valparaíso region. Winter months from June through September bring the most consistent swell activity from South Pacific storm systems. The spot attracts considerable crowds when conditions align, particularly from regional surfers.

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

El Colegio

Northern Chile, Chile

advanced · shortboard

El Faro - Biobio, Chile

Southern Chile, Chile

El Gringo

Tarapaca, Chile

El Gringo is a heavy left-hander that breaks over a sharp, shallow reef, producing thick barrels that demand precision timing and commitment. The wave reliably starts working around 6 feet and can grow well beyond 15 feet, with the steepest rides followed immediately by tight tube sections over unforgiving reef. Southwest swells combined with northeasterly offshore winds create optimal conditions, typically in the morning before the wind turns onshore. The spot also has a lesser-known right, locally called the Chilean Backdoor, which generally handles larger swells more forgivingly. Sea urchins, sharp rock formations, strong rips, and an experienced local crew make this a spot for advanced surfers only. El Gringo entered international competitive surfing in 2007 when the World Championship Tour hosted The Search event, where Andy Irons scored a perfect 10 in the final. Since then it has remained part of the World Qualifying Series calendar, hosting the Arica Pro multiple times and holding the distinction of being South America's longest-running WQS venue. The spot draws traveling professionals during the austral winter (May through July) when southern swells are most consistent and powerful. A memorial cross near the water serves as a sobering reminder of the wave's unforgiving nature. El Gringo sits roughly 5 kilometers south of Arica along an outer island formation, with straightforward access via a parking area and walkway to the break. Arica's airport offers connections to Santiago, placing the spot within easy reach for international travel.

advanced · shortboard

El Muro

Northern Chile, Chile

El Toro Viejo (Arica)

Northern Chile, Chile

El Tubo

Northern Chile, Chile

Infiernillo

Central Chile, Chile

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Intendencia

Tarapaca, Chile

Intendencia is a fast-breaking left-hand reef with a sharp vertical drop that produces hollow, barreling waves. The break works best during the southern hemisphere winter with south-southwest groundswells and offshore winds, usually peaking at high tide. The shallow reef and rock formations create the characteristic power and speed of the wave, making it a demanding break that rewards precise takeoffs and committed riding from experienced surfers. Specific surf history for Intendencia itself is largely undocumented in available sources. The wider Iquique region began hosting international competition again after a 25-year gap in the 1990s, with the Heroes de Mayo Pro returning in 2018, signaling renewed attention to the area's breaks. Other Iquique reefs like La Bestia were only discovered and surfed in relatively recent years, suggesting the region's reef breaks were progressively opened to wider surfing communities over the past few decades. The break is accessible from Playa Cavancha beach with a short walk of 15-30 minutes. Iquique is located roughly 5 kilometers away. The spot typically draws relatively few surfers even on good days, with a notable bodyboard contingent alongside shortboarders.

La Bestia

Tarapaca, Chile

advanced · gun

La Boca Con Con

Central Santiago, Chile

La Brava

Northern Chile, Chile

La Isla

Northern Chile, Chile

La Rinconada

Sur, Chile

Las Machas

Tarapaca, Chile

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

Las Salinas (Pichilemu)

Central Chile, Chile

Las Urracas

Tarapaca, Chile

Maitencillo

Central Santiago, Chile

Matanzas

Central Santiago, Chile

intermediate

Matanzas, Chile

Chile

Papagayo

Central Chile, Chile

intermediate · advanced · shortboard

Pichidangui

Central Chile, Chile

Pichilemu

Central Chile, Chile

beginner · intermediate · shortboard

piedra del lobo

Antofagasta, Chile

Piedra del Lobo is an intermediate reef break near Antofagasta, Chile that peels left and works best with southwest swell and east winds. Watch for sea urchins on the reef bottom.

Pipe

Northern Chile, Chile

Playa Bravo

Northern Chile, Chile

Playa Cachagua

Central Chile, Chile

Playa Cavancha (Iquique)

Northern Chile, Chile

Playa de la Chepica

Central Chile, Chile

Playa del Horcon

Central Chile, Chile

Playa El Colorado

Northern Chile, Chile

Playa La Ballena

Central Chile, Chile

Playa Punta Piedra

Central Chile, Chile

Playa Quilliruca

Central Chile, Chile

Playa San Jeronimo

Central Chile, Chile