Iquique
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Positives
- Very consistent, all year
- Big, powerful waves
- Chilled uncrowded atmosphere
- Perfect climate
Negatives
- Shallow reefs and urchins
- No mellow waves
- Long journeys
- Monotonous landscape
Iquique surf travel guide
Iquique sits 400km (250mi) further south of Arica and also holds a very concentrated stretch of challenging reefbreaks. Most of the waves along this coastline break close to the shore as cylindrical barrels slamming down hard onto shallow reefs full of urchins. It’s often big and gnarly and many of the spots are more suitable for bodyboarders or the most skilled of surfers. Fortunately, there are channels, which enable safe paddle outs to most line-ups. When looking at the waves from the shore it's easy to be deceived by the size, what appears to be 4ft (1.5m) is actually 6-8ft (2-2.5m)! All these waves face the main coastal road, and when the swells are big, crowds are guaranteed to gather and watch the show. What beachbreaks there are, tend to be closed and blown-out unless the swell is small, which doesn’t happen often in Chile! With new extreme waves like La Bestia being discovered, this is another region for experienced riders only. Iquique is a big industrial and mining port so it’s lively, day and night.
Surf spots in Iquique
Research the 7 surf breaks in Iquique and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 7 breaks in Iquique.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Iquique
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 5,723,000
- Population
- 19,116,201
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- CLP
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 538.75 CLP CLP
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +56
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- Spanish
Electricity
- Plug Type
- cl
Visas
For most countries in the world no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Getting There
Citizens of NZ, Brazil, South Africa and the US need visas, costing $20. Santiago is the usual entry point. Transfer flights to Iquique with Lan Chile or take one of the excellent buses (28hrs, $35/o-w). Another option is to fly to Lima (Peru), then get a bus to Tacna (36hrs), cross the border and travel the remaining 450km (280mi) to Iquique.
Getting Around
Cars can be rented for $300/w but it's not really necessary as buses are very cheap and efficient. Once in Iquique most spots are within easy walking distance. If you want to explore the desert then you will need a well-equipped 4WD. Lan-Chile air passes are good value for money.
Accommodation
The cost of living is rising but a double room goes for around $25. Cheap residentals/hostels will give you a bed for $10 - the cheapest option is to camp. At the other end of the scale are hotels like the Prat, $50/dble or the Cavancha, $40/dble. Seafood is cheap and widely available, the local brew is Pisco Sour.
Activities
Checking out an oasis in the desert or a few days in the Andes are great side trips. The spectacular Lauca National Park is a good place to make for - it's about an 8hr-bus ride from Iquique. Other worthwhile sites include the Atacama Giant, Pintados and the ghost town of Humberstone.
Hazards & hassles
There’s little to worry about on dry land. In the water your main danger is from the shallow, urchin covered reefs and thick, heavy waves. The local surfers are almost all bodyboarders and there aren't many of them, but even ten people in a tight take-off zone can make for a crowded line-up.
Handy Hints
Iquique has a surf shop but its range is limited. It's better to bring your own gear, including big-wave guns, boots and a helmet. Many Chilean men work in mines out in the desert and so Iquique seems to be populated almost entirely by women.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.