Pichilemu
Pichilemu is Chile's undisputed surf capital—a collection of world-class point breaks centered around the historic resort town on the country's cold Pacific coast. La Puntilla, the main break, offers long left-hand walls that can rival anything in South America when solid Southern Ocean groundswells arrive. The surrounding coastline is dotted with additional spots, from beginner-friendly beaches to hollow reef breaks. Chilean surf culture runs deep here, with wetsuit-clad locals braving the cold water year-round. Pichilemu proves that you don't need tropical warmth to find world-class waves.
Pichilemu surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 280°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.8m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.8m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Chile surf capital. Multiple breaks in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Pichilemu?
Pichilemu is a point break in O'Higgins Region, Chile, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Pichilemu?
Pichilemu 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 0.8m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.8m. 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 Pichilemu?
An E wind is dead offshore at Pichilemu, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 7am 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 Pichilemu?
Pichilemu is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Pichilemu?
The most reliable run of swell at Pichilemu comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct to Nov too. Year-round swells. Autumn-Winter bigger and cleaner.
How cold is the water at Pichilemu?
The water at Pichilemu averages around 14°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 Pichilemu good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Rocky coastline. Strong currents. Cold water.
How do I get to Pichilemu?
The nearest airport on our list is SCL, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. Chile surf capital. Multiple breaks in the area.
What other surf spots are near Pichilemu?
The closest breaks we track are La Puntilla (2.2 km), Infiernillo (4.8 km) and Diamante (5.8 km), handy when Pichilemu isn't working. We track 6 spots around O'Higgins Region in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Oct, Nov, Mar
Year-round swells. Autumn-Winter bigger and cleaner.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Puntilla
🌴 Pichilemu heart • Consistent point • Surf town vibes
Infiernillo
🔥 Little Hell • Heavy Chilean slab • Experts only
Diamante
💎 Diamond beach • Beginner-friendly • Near Lobos
Punta de Lobos
🇨🇱 World Surfing Reserve • Long left point • South America's finest
Topocalma
🏘️ Quiet village point • Central Chile • Quality left
Puertecillo
🌊 Long left point • North of Pichilemu • Less crowded
Plan a trip around Pichilemu
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