The Surf Window

Tirúa

Biobío, Chile

Point breakAdvanced

Near the Arauco Peninsula in Chile's Biobío Region, Tirúa is a remote beach town at the gateway to Mapuche territory where long-period south swells hit an exposed coast with consistent, powerful waves.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size2–4m at 14–20s

Wind

NE

Light to E under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Apr–Sep

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Long beach with shifting peaks

Length

60–120m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Advanced surfers
  • •Why: Powerful, exposed beach break with cold water and strong winds

Hazards

  • •Very cold water, 12–14°C year-round
  • •Strong rip currents
  • •Exposed coast with no shelter from wind

Local Tips

  • •The region is the homeland of the Mapuche people, a rich culture worth learning about
  • •Island of Mocha offshore is a nature reserve visible from the beach
  • •Tirúa's local surf scene is small but passionate, genuinely off the tourist trail

Location

Map showing the location of Tirúa in Biobío, Chile

-38.3439, -73.4935