Nuqui
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Positives
- North and South groundswells
- Good lefts and rights
- Amazing jungle waterways
- Cheap, colourful, exotic Colombia
- Good services at El Cantil
Negatives
- Boat access only
- Rarely bigger than 6ft
- Extremely wet
- Air access, no longboards
- FARC kidnapping factor
Nuqui surf travel guide
The Pacific shores of Colombia have remained an obscure, difficult to access surf destination since much of Choco Province has no roads and it is one of the wettest shores in the world. Getting there entails flying in on a small plane to the Nuqui area, which receives long-distance swell from all over the Pacific. There are average breaks close to town, but to get to the better waves in the region requires a powerboat. To make it economical, a group of four is ideal to hire a boat and explore.
Surf spots in Nuqui
Research the 13 surf breaks in Nuqui and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 13 breaks in Nuqui.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Nuqui
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- dec
Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Nuqui.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 3,904,000
- Population
- 50,882,891
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- COP
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +57
- Dialing out
- 005
- Emergencies
- 123
- Language
- Spanish
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ab
Visas
Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 90 days.
Getting There
Connect from Bogota (BOG) to Medellin (MDE) and take one of three flights a week from Medellin (EOH, domestic) to Nuqui (NQU) $150 with surfer-friendly Ada airline. Satena won't take boards over 6' 9". Flights departing from Medell’n are approximately 50 minutes long. You can also arrive via Quibd— (capital city of the Choc— department) or from Pereira (capital city of Risaralda department). Boats leave from Buenaventura (or Quibdo, 120 km away) but it’s risky & expensive.
Getting Around
There is not much walking access around Nuqui or El Cantil, instead use lanchas (small passenger motorboats) or powerboats to navigate the myriad of waterways and take 35min to get to El Cantil. For the Cabo Corriente spots, El Cantil hotel organises powerboats (2 available) and based on four people, the cost is $45 per day each, so either come in a group or make sure other surfers will be there. The cost of slower Lanchas is $80 per day.
Accommodation
Basic accommodation and new eco-lodges around Nuqui are available. Hotel Nuquimar (fr $55/n). 6 nights & 3 boat trips in El Cantil Ecolodge is around $790, with full board, transfers and netted beds in double rooms. High Season can be more expensive. Food is good but not always varied, and a small store sells basic stuff.
Activities
Great outdoor activities like fishing (Jan-June best), humpback whale watching (June-Oct), diving (big fish, some coral) and the honeymoon trip to the Del Amor Cascades (Love Waterfalls). Nature is everywhere and the wild forest houses native people and endemic species.
Hazards & hassles
Nuqui to Cabo Corriente has become much safer now, particularly as it has grown as an eco-tourism zone. It is worth avoiding big rivermouths around Cali, where boats with illicit cargo might transit. Bull sharks frequent rivermouths but no attacks recorded. Rips can be a concern but the main hazard is rain and the threat posed by chloroquine resistant malaria below 800m. There is one hospital for minor emergencies.
Handy Hints
Regarding safety, always ask in Medellin before departure. Beginners can take surfing lessons with the El Cantil Ecolodge, who also rent boards ($27/d), SUP's ($33/d) and boats ($438/d/4p). The region plays host to amazing jungle life and whale watching, so take binoculars.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.