Cabo Raso
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- Empty
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cabo Raso is a remote, reef-influenced point break on the Chubut coast that offers consistently surfable conditions and a reputation for high-quality waves when the right swell and mid-tide timing line up. It’s described as relatively exposed and working from less than 1 m upward, holding into larger sizes with longer rides when waves connect well to the reef. The break is reef-based with sharp rocks/submerged reef sections and marine habitat (including kelp/reef areas). Multiple sources highlight rip currents and strong tidal currents near the point, so the main risk is getting caught in fast water around a hazardous bottom. Because the coast is far from services and there is no on-site lifeguard/rescue reported, self-sufficiency and careful timing/entry decisions are central to safety. Wind-wise, providers describe frontal or strong Patagonian wind behavior, with the most favorable direction typically offshore from the southwest/south. Offshore winds are noted to groom the wave faces, which improves ride quality. Wind/gust intensity can be strong, and turbulence can develop immediately downwind of cape high ground. Water is cold year-round, with summer around the mid-to-high teens °C and winter around ~8–14°C (and colder early/late). Accordingly, full wetsuit protection plus appropriate head/hand/foot insulation is emphasized, especially outside peak summer.
- Consistent reef point break with regional-classic wave quality
- Best when offshore SW/S winds meet a North/Northeast swell at mid tide
- Typically uncrowded and focused on self-sufficient travel/surfing
- Consistent, reasonably exposed beach-and-reef/point break with a regional-classic reputation
- Waves can work from under 1 m up to 2 m+ and can hold size well
- Offshore winds from SW/S groom wave faces
- Typically uncrowded
- Remote location with limited/no services and very limited medical access time
- Reef hazards (rocks/coral/reef sections) and strong currents
- Cold water—hypothermia risk especially in shoulder seasons
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, S
- Offshore directions
- SW, S
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Sources describe frontal-type winds; for the wider Chubut coast strong, consistent Patagonian gradient winds are typical.
- Reliability
- Low monthly-clean data variability is implied by small swells vs. clean windows; one provider reports swells large enough to be surfable at ~21% of July.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — One source calls winds steady; another describes heavy gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence can occur immediately downwind of the cape’s higher ground.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — One source says sand; another describes mixed sand/rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — One source calls it small/starting under ~1 m; another describes up to ~2–2.5 m+ working swell range.
- Launch
- Medium — Short walk from parking; rocky entry with patches of sand. Entry must be careful.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch access described as easy by one provider; another describes moderate difficulty with rocky entry.
Through the year
Always empty or very low density due to remote location.
Winter sees more frequent frontal systems and cold storms; Patagonian high-wind storms occur frequently, especially in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote Patagonian point break over a reef. Works from under ~1 m and can hold to larger sizes; rides are often in the 50–150 m range at suitable swell/tide.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, NNE, ENE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best at mid tide; rising and falling tides also mentioned.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Varies by description: one provider calls it semi-sheltered; another calls it exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore from south-southwest/SW significantly grooms wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to around 2–2.5 m before becoming heavy and challenging; heavy waves break up over rock/reef sections.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic / good quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — One source rates as powerful; another rates overall power as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape described; also noted as peeling by another provider.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling described with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal length rides 50–150 m depending on connection; up to ~100 m in one provider’s description.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides 50–150 m; up to about 100 m mentioned in another description.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cabo Raso in the full forecast view.
Cabo Raso wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–19 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NE55°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2919 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.4 m5s period
- Temperature
- 6–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cabo Raso is forecast for daytime winds of 5–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.4–1.4 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- reef
- coral
- rip currents
- sharp rocks
- kelp beds
- submerged reef sections
- strong tidal currents
- extreme remoteness
- hypothermia risk
- marine wildlife
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue reported; emergency response relies on distant resources.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Camarones or Trelew (several hours away by gravel road). No on-site rescue.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources report no localism.
Rules of the spot
No formal local rules due to extreme remoteness; self-sufficiency is mandatory. Experienced surfers are recommended.
- Experienced surfers only recommended.
- Best at mid tide.
- Uncrowded even on good days.
- Bring all necessary supplies including water and fuel; there are no services nearby.
- There is virtually no mobile phone reception in the area.
- Ensure you have a spare tire and a robust vehicle for gravel access roads.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Trelew
- Nearest Town
- Camarones
- Nearest Airport
- Almirante Marcos A. Zar Airport (REL), Trelew (~150 km away).
- Parking
- Parking available near the coast/coastal area; short walk to beach/entry. Informal parking also described near the coast/eco-lodge area.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is non-existent; access requires a private vehicle.
- Access
- Requires a car; accessed via long/often rough gravel routes (Ruta Provincial 1 noted). Short walk (5–15 minutes) from parking to beach/entry.
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Limited accommodation mainly around 'El Cabo' eco-lodge/glamping area.
- Food & Drink
- Very limited options at the eco-lodge; travelers should bring their own food and water.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental facilities reported.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage may be available through local eco-lodging for staying guests.
- Gear Repair
- No gear repair services immediately available (nearest options are farther away).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Off-the-grid Patagonia nature and wildlife viewing nearby; the area is oriented toward solitude and self-sufficient travel.
One of the world’s largest continental colonies of Magellanic penguins.
Opportunities to see whales, sea lions, and diverse birdlife directly from the shore.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cabo Raso?
The best overall months at Cabo Raso are January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Cabo Raso?
Cabo Raso works with SW, S winds. Offshore directions are SW, S.
What skill level is Cabo Raso suitable for?
Cabo Raso suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.