Iquique
Iquique is Chile's desert surf capital—a city wedged between the vast Atacama Desert and the cold, powerful Pacific, offering some of South America's most dramatic surf settings. Multiple left points line the coastline, receiving consistent Southern Ocean groundswells against a backdrop of sand dunes and barren hills that haven't seen rain in years. The water is brisk thanks to the Humboldt Current, but wetsuits are a small price for quality waves with minimal crowds. The city's dramatic setting beneath towering cliffs and its duty-free shopping zone make it an unlikely but rewarding surf destination.
Iquique surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today'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 Iquique 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 (230°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 260°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 80° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Beach access from city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Iquique?
The Iquique profile favors the recorded tide range, ideally between 0.4m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at Iquique?
The Iquique profile uses wind from ESE (120°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 80° to 160°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Iquique?
The Iquique scoring profile favors swell from SW (210° to 260°), a swell-height range of 0.8m to 3m, and a reference period of 14s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Iquique?
The main season at Iquique is Mar-Oct. March-October Southern Ocean swells.
How do I get to Iquique?
The spot profile lists IQQ as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 15 minutes. Beach access from city.
What kind of wave is Iquique?
Iquique is a point break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
March-October Southern Ocean swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Punta Dos
✌️ Point Two • Iquique slab • Heavy barrels
Intendencia
🌊 Wedging slab • Thick barrels • Iquique power
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