Intendencia
Intendencia is a wedging slab in the Iquique heavy wave zone, producing thick, hollow lefts when SW swells wrap into the bay. A step up from beginner waves but not quite as heavy as El Colegio.
Intendencia 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 Intendencia 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
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 250°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- 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
8/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Iquique slab zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Intendencia?
Intendencia is a slab in Iquique, Chile, that mostly breaks left. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What swell works best at Intendencia?
Intendencia 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 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. 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 Intendencia?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at Intendencia, and anything from the NE round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Intendencia?
Intendencia 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 Intendencia?
The most reliable run of swell at Intendencia comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Hollow wedge. Iquique slab zone.
How cold is the water at Intendencia?
The water at Intendencia 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 Intendencia good for beginners?
No. As a slab, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Wedging slab. Powerful.
How do I get to Intendencia?
The nearest airport on our list is IQQ, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Iquique slab zone.
What other surf spots are near Intendencia?
The closest breaks we track are Iquique (0.3 km), Punta Dos (0.3 km) and El Colegio (0.6 km), handy when Intendencia isn't working. We track 6 spots around Iquique in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Hollow wedge. Iquique slab zone.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Iquique
🏜️ Atacama meets Pacific • Cold water lefts • Dramatic desert setting
Punta Dos
✌️ Point Two • Iquique slab • Heavy barrels
El Colegio
🎓 The School • Harsh lessons • Iquique heaviest
Hueso de Ballena
🐋 Whale Bone reef • Quality left • Less intense
Cavancha
🏖️ Iquique city beach • Beginner-friendly • Consistent
Huayquique
🌊 Northern Chile point • Long lefts • Desert backdrop
Plan a trip around Intendencia
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.