Hueso de Ballena
Hueso de Ballena ("Whale Bone") is a left reef break in Iquique named for whale bones found on the shore. A quality wave that offers a less intense option compared to the heavy slabs nearby.
Hueso de Ballena surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 250°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (67°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Iquique area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Hueso de Ballena?
Hueso de Ballena is a reef break in Iquique, Chile, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Hueso de Ballena?
Hueso de Ballena picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Hueso de Ballena?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at Hueso de Ballena, and anything from the NE round to the E 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 Hueso de Ballena?
Hueso de Ballena is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Hueso de Ballena?
The most reliable run of swell at Hueso de Ballena comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Quality reef. Less intense.
How cold is the water at Hueso de Ballena?
The water at Hueso de Ballena 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 Hueso de Ballena good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Reef break. Named for whale bones.
How do I get to Hueso de Ballena?
The nearest airport on our list is IQQ, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Iquique area.
What other surf spots are near Hueso de Ballena?
The closest breaks we track are El Colegio (0.8 km), Punta Dos (0.9 km) and Cavancha (1.1 km), handy when Hueso de Ballena isn't working. We track 6 spots around Iquique in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Quality reef. Less intense.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Colegio
🎓 The School • Harsh lessons • Iquique heaviest
Punta Dos
✌️ Point Two • Iquique slab • Heavy barrels
Cavancha
🏖️ Iquique city beach • Beginner-friendly • Consistent
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