Surfing Puertecillo: The Complete Guide

Puertecillo is a point break located in O'Higgins Region, Chile, offering a left-hander along South America's vast coastline. Puertecillo is a quality left point break north of Pichilemu, offering long rides when WSW swells wrap into the bay. Rated as intermediate difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is WSW (247°), with workable conditions from SW to W (225°–270°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Puertecillo needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 12 seconds, with 16 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the ESE (112°). The full offshore range spans E to SE (90°–135°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at low to mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.4m–1.4m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Puertecillo runs March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Mar–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens November, December, January, February (Nov–Feb). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: North of Pichilemu. Quality left.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 14°C / 57°F. A 4/3mm or 5/4mm wetsuit is essential, with boots and gloves for extended sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is SCL, approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes by road.

Access: North of Pichilemu. Coastal road.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Rocky point. Long rides.

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Puertecillo? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Puertecillo is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*