Cavancha
Cavancha is Iquique's main urban beach. Beginner-friendly beach break with consistent waves year-round.
Cavancha surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to IQQ, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when South America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in South America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full Cavancha trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 280°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (100°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 140°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.4m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
3/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Central Iquique beach. Easy access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cavancha?
Cavancha is a beach break in Iquique, Chile, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Cavancha?
Cavancha picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WSW. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.7m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Cavancha?
An E wind is dead offshore at Cavancha, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Cavancha?
Cavancha has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Cavancha?
The most reliable run of swell at Cavancha comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round surf. Autumn to spring best.
How cold is the water at Cavancha?
The water at Cavancha averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Cavancha good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 3/10 for difficulty. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Popular beach. Can get crowded.
How do I get to Cavancha?
The nearest airport on our list is IQQ, then it's roughly a 5-minute drive. Central Iquique beach. Easy access.
What other surf spots are near Cavancha?
The closest breaks we track are Hueso de Ballena (1.1 km), El Colegio (1.5 km) and Punta Dos (1.7 km), handy when Cavancha isn't working. We track 6 spots around Iquique in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round surf. Autumn to spring best.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Hueso de Ballena
🐋 Whale Bone reef • Quality left • Less intense
El Colegio
🎓 The School • Harsh lessons • Iquique heaviest
Punta Dos
✌️ Point Two • Iquique slab • Heavy barrels
Iquique
🏜️ Atacama meets Pacific • Cold water lefts • Dramatic desert setting
Intendencia
🌊 Wedging slab • Thick barrels • Iquique power
Huayquique
🌊 Northern Chile point • Long lefts • Desert backdrop
Plan a trip around Cavancha
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.