La Portada
La Portada is a quality reef break near the famous natural arch rock formation.
La Portada surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (235°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 280°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (100°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 140°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.4m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: North of Antofagasta near famous arch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is La Portada?
La Portada is a reef break in Antofagasta, Chile, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at La Portada?
La Portada picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, 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 La Portada?
An E wind is dead offshore at La Portada, 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 La Portada?
La Portada is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.4m on the local chart. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf La Portada?
The most reliable run of swell at La Portada comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Needs solid swell. Best autumn to spring.
How cold is the water at La Portada?
The water at La Portada averages around 16°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is La Portada good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Rocky reef, difficult cliff access.
How do I get to La Portada?
The nearest airport on our list is ANF, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive. North of Antofagasta near famous arch.
What other surf spots are near La Portada?
The closest breaks we track are Playa Brava Antofagasta (15 km) and La Cúpula (17 km), handy when La Portada isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Needs solid swell. Best autumn to spring.