The Surf Window

Tubul

Biobío, Chile

Beach breakIntermediate

Near the mouth of the Tubul River south of Arauco, Tubul's beach and river mouth breaks were significantly altered by the 2010 earthquake that raised the coastline, creating new sandbars and a fascinating lesson in geological surf shaping.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size1.5–2.5m at 14–18s

Wind

NE

Light under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Apr–Sep

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach and river mouth break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

River mouth peaks, lefts and rights

Length

50–100m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate surfers
  • •Why: Consistent swell delivery but river mouth dynamics require experience

Hazards

  • •Strong river mouth currents especially after rain
  • •Cold water, 12–14°C
  • •The coastline was raised by the 2010 earthquake, sandbars shift unpredictably

Local Tips

  • •The Tubul-Raqui nature sanctuary nearby has flamingos and Black-necked swans, extraordinary wildlife
  • •Local fishing community is the fabric of this town, the seafood is fresh and cheap
  • •The earthquake history makes this an interesting geological destination

Location

Map showing the location of Tubul in Biobío, Chile

-37.2305, -73.4449