Northern Chile offers a surfer the chance to experience sharp breaking reefs and rocky points. This area has just many right breaks, as lefts. The northern region of Chile is more renowned for its hard breaking waves that offer a surfer the chance to log some serious tube time. It's more of a raw, rocky type of coastline with a lot of desert landscapes. Bordering along the Atacama Desert, the most arid region on the planet, it resembles very much like Baja California. The climate is along this stretch reflects that characteristic and is rather warm and sunny during most of the year. Our Norte Chico trips take place in this region, and can be reserved all year long, although the optimum time is during the southern hemisphere winter which fall between the months of May and September.
The southern-central region of Chile offers a surfer the opportunity to surf extremely high quality left-hand points that break over sand/volcanic rock bottoms. This is where you will find the classic Chilean surf setup. Long left points backed up against picturesque green forests, and grassy hills. If you can imagine Northern California about 50 years ago, this is it. The white-capped, Andes mountain range is always visible, and the region is famous for its wine production, and agriculture. Our most popular excursions are to this region, and are available between the months of September to March. This seasonal window falls within the Chilean summer and fall.
|
|
The coast of Chile has a northern current (The Humboldt Current) that runs parallel along the entire coast bringing a constant flow of cold, nutritious water from Antarctica. As a result, the average water temperature stays constantly on the cool side with temps averaging between the mid to high fifties, Fahrenheit.
The air temperature is considered temperate, and is comparable to California. A good 4/3 wetsuit with booties, and a hood, at times, is recommended.
Due to the constant low pressure systems produced within close proximity, and the deep water trench just off the coast, the surf size is rather consistent and juicy.
It's a good idea to bring an all-around board that can handle average conditions, and a semi-gun board for when the size jumps up a bit.
Advantages of surfing in Chile:
1. Consistently good and powerful surf.
2. World class waves with few or no surfers.
3. Extraordinary scenery.
4. Excellent food & drink.
5. Extremely safe politically.
6. The local people are very friendly and respectful.
7. Little risk of shark attack.
|