Best time to surf Iquique – El Colegio
The best time to surf at Iquique – El Colegio is April–October, with waves of about 1.4 m and water around 18°C.
Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–October
El Colegio is a reef break on the city seafront of Iquique, in the Tarapacá region of northern Chile, between the beaches of Bellavista and Cavancha. It takes its name from the school that stands across the coast road.
The wave breaks over a shallow rock reef close to the shore and becomes short, hollow and powerful on south-west and west swells. These reach the coast all year but are most frequent and largest from about April to September. Light easterly land breezes are offshore in the morning, and south-westerly sea breezes usually pick up in the afternoon. It is a wave for experienced surfers and bodyboarders; Iquique has a strong bodyboarding community, and the line-up is often busy with locals. The reef is sharp and shallow, and urchins live on the rocks, so booties are useful. Cavancha and other breaks along the seafront suit less experienced surfers. The Humboldt Current keeps the water cool, around 16 to 20 °C, so a 3/2 wetsuit is usual.
Month by month at Iquique – El Colegio
- January: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 19°C, air 25°C (nights 19°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- February: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 21°C, air 26°C (nights 21°C), 28 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- March: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 20°C, air 25°C (nights 20°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 19°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 30 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 4 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- June: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 4 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 14°C), 30 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- July: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 4 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 17°C, air 18°C (nights 14°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- August: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 14°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 5 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 14°C), 30 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 18°C, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 29 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 18°C, air 21°C (nights 16°C), 30 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- December: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 18°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
Surfing in Chile: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
When is the best time to go surfing at Iquique – El Colegio?
April–October, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Iquique – El Colegio?
17°C to 21°C over the year: a 3/2 full suit in the warmest month, a 4/3 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is Iquique – El Colegio?
About 0 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in January.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Iquique – El Colegio
- Arica – El Gringo (195 km)
More: All spots in Chile · Surfing in Chile
Compare with: Arica – El Gringo vs Iquique – El Colegio