DEEP PACIFIC OCEAN; CENTRAL CHILE, SOUTH AMERICA

Surfers who enjoy surfing hard and want to escape from concrete, computers and crowded lineups are welcome in Chile.  With possibly the widest and most consistent swell window in the world there is plenty of room for surfers on this rugged 4270 km stretch of South American shoreline separating the vast Pacific from the Andes.

Climate: Chile has a variety of climatic conditions that can be divided into three zones.  
North – dry and arid Atacama Desert
Central – mild wet winters and long dry summers
South – cold, wet and windy.
Average annual temperature ranges in Central Chile are coolest in July from 37 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit up 54 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in January.  Annual rainfall increases from almost nothing in the North to more than 200 inches in the South.  
Located in the middle of these two extremes is an ultimate surfing frontier -- Central Chile.  Even though Chile is a politically stable country with large, sophisticated inland cities, the central coast region is still an unpopulated rugged frontier of pine trees, rocky headlands, vineyards, sea lions and empty waves.  

Central Region Surf:  Deep offshore canyons and tall headlands create conditions that allow many surf spots to pick up the full strength of the swells while at the same time being protected from the prevailing southerly winds.  
Surfing in Chile is for real surfers. The water is cold, the currents are strong and the waves are powerful.  The Humboldt Current keeps the water temp in the mid 50s pretty much year round but temps can flirt with the 60 degree mark in Jan and Feb.  
The ideal rubber is a good 4/3 wetsuit and booties from November to March.  Add a hood from April to October.  The fast changing surf conditions require a diverse quiver of shortboard, fish and 7’6” gun for the juicy days.  Surfers who welcome a challenge will thrive in this wave rich zone.
The 200 kilometers of coastline from Puertocillo to Buchupureo alone has over 30 different points, reefs and rivermouth breaks that offer everything and anything a surfer can want.  From perfect three to six foot, sandbar tubes to 500 yard points and 20-foot+ death drops at Punta de Lobos, this area has it all.  Many secret spots and unexplored stretches of coast located on private land make a guide important to surfers who want to make the most of their time and money.  

Quiksilver Travel is proud to work with Chilean surf legend and Quiksilver team rider, Ramon Navarro at the new Posada Punta de Lobos Surf Lodge.  Located just a 2.5 hour drive from the airport, the property sits 100 meters above sea level offering panoramic ocean views from Punta Sirena in the South to Punta de Lobos in the West.  Just a couple miles from Pichilemu this location provides the perfect launching pad to surf several of the best waves in Chile including Puertecillo and Punta de Lobos.
The Posada Punta de Lobos Surf Lodge is comprised of two independent modules connected by bridges to emphasize the natural beauty of the surrounding native Eucalyptus and Cypress trees.  
On the first floor of one module is the dining area, bar and stone fireplace.  On the second level is the living room separated by windows to create intimate spaces with ocean views for relaxing at the end of the day with friends.
The second module contains 8 bedrooms each equipped with central heating, private bathrooms and simple décor connecting you with nature.  Kicking back in the evenings around the outdoor fire pit with a glass of Chilean wine and listening to the pounding surf is the norm after a solid day of waves.OR pack up the truck and head north or south depending on sand flow and wind conditions to explore some of the most perfect waves in South America. Central Chile truly is a cold water surfing paradise.  
     
Logistics: Non-stop flights from NYC and LAX to Santiago Chile operate five times per week and generally cost between $1,000-$1,200.  Posada Punta de Lobos offers packages beginning at six nights for $750 per person which include round trip transportation from airport, accommodation, three meals daily, wine tour, horseback riding and surf.