La Nilda (Nilda Point) is a heavy, shallow reef slab on the northern edge of Antofagasta in Chile's Atacama coast. It throws thick, square barrels onto rock and is one of the premier bodyboarding waves in South America, hosting the IBC Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival. It is strictly for experts. It works year-round on south and southwest swells, with the cold Humboldt Current keeping the water chilly.
🌡️ ~16.3°C now · a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: not suitable for this level
Advanced: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at La Nilda. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: not suitable for this level
Advanced: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks La Nilda's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 6 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° | 19° | 18° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 17° | 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 (~6 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.7 ft (1.4 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.9 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 5.0 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 5.9 ft (1.8 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.8 ft (1.8 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~16°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 (~5 km/h). Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.7 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.9 ft (1.8 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~16°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 ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.2 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 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
For advanced surfers: May–Nov. The biggest waves come in May, averaging 5.9 ft (1.8 m), and the smallest in December, at 4.6 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: La Nilda is best suited to advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is ANF, and the nearest town is Antofagasta, Chile.
