Surf Travel to Chile

When we think of surfing, the crashing waves of Hawaii, California and Australia first come to mind, but Chile’s Surf Coast has caught the attention of surfers from all around the world and is destined to become one of the most popular surf scenes on the planet. Chile is the perfect place for the ultimate surf vacation.

Plan Ahead, Stay Safe

Enjoying a vacation to South America takes a bit of planning, but it is certainly worth the experience you will have once you arrive in Chile. Plan in advance to take advantage of some great travel deals on airfare. Buying tickets six months or more in advance can save you a lot. If you want to ensure your trip is as stress free as possible, consider travel insurance. Nowadays travel protection is customizable to fit your needs, from flight to cruise insurance. Compare rates to make sure you have coverage where you need it and are not paying for what you don't need.

Pichilemu: Your Wave Oasis

A great Chilean surf destination not to be missed is Pichilemu. Located an hour away from Chile’s popular wine center of Santa Cruz, Pichilemu is a tiny beach town that is home to sandy coves, rocky headlands and seemingly endless miles of beautiful pine forests. It is also gaining notoriety with surf fans as being a booming surf town with large, long waves that are perfect for riding. In fact, an international surf competition is held just south of Pichilemu on the beach in Punta de Lobos each June.

Although Chile is quickly becoming a surf Mecca, shining in the international spotlight in recent years, SurfLine.com indicates that the country has a relatively short surfing history. In fact, the first local surfer dates only back to the early 70s. Much of the popularity among surfers comes from the consistent, huge, perfect waves and the numerous quality surfing spots the area offers.

Find Your Ideal Surf Spots

Once you land in Chile, know what you're looking for before you hit the waves. There are three main regions for surfing in Chile known as the North, Central and South regions. The North area has rocky bottoms that produce some of Chile’s most powerful waves. These hollow waves are known to easily snap boards, so a good quiver is needed. The Central region is the most convenient to get to, as it is close to the city of Santiago. Be prepared for 15 foot waves daily and 25 foot waves on a regular basis. The South region offers a pristine, almost untouched environment just waiting to be discovered. There is no shortage of swells along Chile’s coast, and it offers around 300 days of surf each year.

Top Chilean Surf Spots

Pichilemu – Located in Central Chile and known as a primary surf. Offers the most consistent tall tubular breaks.
Punta de Lobos – Located in Central Chile and serves as home to international surf competitions each June.
El Buey – Located in Northern Chile and known for popular and fairly uncrowded surfing experiences. Offers rock bottom reefs that produce small waves with big power.
El Puerto – Located in Southern Chile and known for enormous tubes and year-round empty beaches.
Pellines – Located in Southern Chile and known for its secluded and unspoiled beaches allowing an undisturbed day of surfing with the waves all to yourself.

The key to a great surfing experience in Chile is to respect the environment and the local surf community. Relax and have fun, but respect the power of the waves and the unspoiled beauty of the South American coast.