Surf spots in Iquique
3 spots within 2 km of Iquique: 1 beach break, 1 reef break, 1 point break.
Live forecasts for every spot →
Best spots today in Iquique
- Intermediate: La Punta (Epic, 1.2–1.8 m, cross-shore around 08:00), Playa Brava (Good, 1.4–2 m, cross-shore around 08:00), La Bestia (El Bajo) (Fair, 1–1.4 m, cross-shore around 08:00)
- Advanced: Playa Brava (Epic, 1.4–2 m, cross-shore around 08:00), La Punta (Epic, 1.2–1.8 m, cross-shore around 08:00)
Forecast updated 21 Oct, 15:51 UTC.
The spots
- La Bestia (El Bajo) · reef break, advanced, best on SW/SSW/S swell with NE/ENE/E wind, all tides. Outer slab about 700 m south of La Punta in Iquique, known locally as El Bajo, that breaks only a handful of days a year when a SW to S swell tops about 3.5 m. For…
- La Punta · point break, intermediate, best on S/SW/SSW swell with E/NE wind, all tides. A point-style reef at the north end of Playa Cavancha in Iquique. Guides disagree on whether it is mainly a left or a right, so both are listed.
- Playa Brava · beach break, intermediate, best on S/SSW/SW swell with NE/ENE/E wind, all tides. Long beach south of Cavancha on south-southwest swell with an east-northeast wind. Strong rips, and noticeably quieter than Iquique's reef spots.
When to surf in Iquique
Good days per month for intermediate surfers; tap a month for where else to surf then.
Best months for intermediate surfers: March to October. For beginners: February, May, July to September. The water goes from about 17 °C in June (4/3 mm fullsuit) to 20 °C in February (3/2 mm fullsuit).
| Month | Rideable days | Good days | Beginner days | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18 | 4 | 7 | 20 °C |
| Feb | 17 | 5 | 11 | 20 °C |
| Mar | 26 | 13 | 10 | 20 °C |
| Apr | 24 | 15 | 10 | 18 °C |
| May | 26 | 17 | 12 | 18 °C |
| Jun | 27 | 17 | 11 | 17 °C |
| Jul | 26 | 19 | 14 | 17 °C |
| Aug | 26 | 15 | 14 | 18 °C |
| Sep | 23 | 11 | 12 | 18 °C |
| Oct | 25 | 8 | 5 | 17 °C |
| Nov | 19 | 2 | 4 | 18 °C |
| Dec | 15 | 4 | 6 | 18 °C |
Days per month at the best third of the 3 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.
Questions
What are the best surf spots in Iquique?
The best-known are La Punta, La Bestia (El Bajo), Playa Brava. In all, 3 spots lie within 2 km: 1 beach break, 1 reef break, 1 point break.
Where can beginners surf in Iquique?
Iquique is mostly for intermediate and advanced surfers: reefs, points or powerful beach breaks. Beginners should take a lesson and stay on the smallest days.
When is the best time to surf in Iquique?
For intermediate surfers March to October. For beginners February, May, July to September.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Iquique?
The sea goes from about 17 °C in June (4/3 mm fullsuit) to 20 °C in February (3/2 mm fullsuit).