Surf

It is one of the most popular sports in the world, synonym of summer and blonde hair. In Chile, you can practice surf too and a lot of people do travel to Chilean beaches to dominate the big waves that the wind creates in the Pacific Ocean.

In Chile you can surf all year, especially in the northern part of the country where climate conditions are fantastic most of the year, with bright sun and a very low precipitation rate even in winter. The water in the north is very warm, so it is also a great destination for the families of the surfers, who can just relax and enjoy the view and the beach.

In central Chile you can also find beaches where you can surf. Although it is colder and sometimes rain makes it impossible to ride the waves, these beaches are visited by thousands of people in spring and summer. Water is colder but waves are bigger.

It takes a little while to learn how to surf but it usually just takes practice. It is necessary to be helped by an instructor or an expert, especially if you are not familiar with the beach you will be surfing in, because it is important to be aware of the climate conditions and the behavior of the waves before you try and ride them. It is also a must to know how to swim because one wave or another will surely take you down to the water.

The equipment you need to surf is quite simple. You need a surf board and a special suit, usually made of neoprene, material that protects the body from the water and its temperature.

In Chile, where you can find hundreds of beaches along the thousands of kilometers of coast, some of the places you can surf in are:

North Area

Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, La Serena, Pichidangui, Easter Island (experts only).

Center Area

Reñaca, Pichilemu (the most popular destination), Puertecillo, Maitencillo.

South Area

Lebu.