Playa Cavancha is Iquique's central urban beach break, a friendly, accessible wave right in the heart of the city that's popular with local surf schools, with fun peaks best for intermediates on the right swell. Its convenience and consistency have made it a staple of northern Chile's surf scene and a warm-up spot before tackling heavier reefs nearby like El Gringo. Best in southern-hemisphere summer with offshore winds from the east.
🌡️ ~16.8°C now · a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jul, Nov, Dec
Advanced: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Cavancha. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jul, Nov, Dec
Advanced: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Cavancha's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 7 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 19° | 20° | 20° | 19° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 17° | 17° | 17° | 18° | 18° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 4.8 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.9 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 5.0 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 5.8 ft (1.8 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.6 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.3 ft (1.6 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.4 ft (1.6 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.6 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.5 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.1 ft (1.6 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.5 ft (1.4 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
For intermediates: Jul, Nov–Apr. For advanced surfers: May–Nov. The biggest waves come in May, averaging 5.8 ft (1.8 m), and the smallest in December, at 4.5 ft (1.4 m).
It ranges from ~16°C in July to ~20°C in February, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In July (~16°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. In February (~20°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Not really: Cavancha is best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is IQQ, and the nearest town is Iquique, Chile.
