From Columbia’s Pacific coast, all the way down to Patagonia, the West Coast of South America has lots of waves. What it doesn’t have, apart from a few spots near cities, is many surfers. For the length of the nearly 8000-kilometer long West Coast, there are only a half dozen areas popular with surfers. Clearly, this is the surf frontier.
Ecuador is exposed to both North and South Pacific swells. From October through March the coast gets swell from the NW. April to November sees waves from the SW. December to May is considered prime wave season and the water is warm year-round.
Once a major destination for surfers, Peru had fallen off the radar of the world’s surf media for the past 30 years or so, probably because of past political upheaval. The political scene is stable now and Peru continues to get world-class surf. Peru gets waves all year, but April to October is considered prime season. Water temperatures range from 15C/60F in the winter up to 26C/80F in summer. Prevailing winds are from the south and winter waves range from one to four meters high.
Like much of the West Coast, Chile is the land of lefts. With steady SW swell from the Antarctic wave factory and prevailing south winds, the best waves are found in the lee of NW-facing headlands. In the north of Chile wave heights range from one to five meters; in the south they top out around six meters. The Humbolt Current keeps Chile cool year round with water temperatures averaging 15C/60F.
The East Coast of South America has more surfers and fewer waves. As with the West Coast, the further south you go, the bigger the waves get.
Argentina’s Mar Del Plata region is packed by beachgoers in the Southern Hemisphere summer, but deserted by all but waveriders in the winter. Waves generally come from the SE. In the summer they range from one to two meters; in the winter waves can reach four meters. Prevailing winds are from the NE in summer and variable in the winter. Winter water temps drop to around 10C/50F.
The East Coast of Uruguay has a small, but dedicated surfing population. It has similar swell and wind patterns to Argentina, but the waves are somewhat smaller, topping out around 3 meters high. The best season for waves and favorable winds is the autumn, from April to June.
Brazil has a huge, enthusiastic surfing population and a national appreciation of beach culture. The biggest waves and coolest waters are in the south of Brazil. The Santa Catarina region (Florianopolis) has a wide variety of breaks and consistent swell. Summers here have warm water, 22C/74F, and winters require a full-suit — 17C/62F. In the Southern Hemisphere winter waves range from one to four meters here.
The beaches around Sao Paulo and Rio are jammed with surfers, but also have good waves and a lovely climate.
Further north, surfers will find fewer crowds, warm water and decent waves in the states of Sergipe, Bahai, Pernambuco, Paraiba and Rio Grande do Norte. Surf breaks along the north coast of Brazil are largely unknown.
See More Articles About South America
- Climate Summit Opens in Mexico
- Chile's Endangered Coast
- Peru Surfing Travel Guide
- Brazil Surf Beta
- Chile Surf Beta
- Peru Surf Beta
- Argentina Surf Beta
- Ecuador Surf Beta
- Venezuela Surf Beta
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