Cordeles
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cordeles is described as an exposed beach break offering both left and right-hand waves over a sandy and rocky bottom. Skill level is generally intermediate, and conditions can deteriorate quickly when afternoon winds strengthen—so the early morning is often the best bet before southerly/thermal winds pick up. On larger swells, the spot can close out when swells exceed about 3 meters, and strong currents/rip currents are possible; rocks along the shoreline and bottom add to the risk. The water is cold year-round (Humboldt Current), so a thick wetsuit is mandatory.
- Most reliable surfing window reported for June
- Best results come from southwest swell + offshore NE winds
- Peeling waves with medium-length rides on good days
- Exposed beach break that is often working.
- Winter surf windows—especially June—are reported as the most consistent for clean southwest swell with offshore northeast winds.
- Works for both left and right waves.
- Often blown out in June (clean surfable waves reported only about 18% of the time).
- Exposed conditions can become choppy when afternoon winds strengthen.
- Rocks and strong currents/rip currents are reported hazards, especially on larger swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ESE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Offshore wind reported from the northeast; southwest swell + offshore NE winds gives the best conditions.
- Reliability
- June is a best window for clean surfable waves (clean about 18% of the time; blown out about 82%).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- Minor protection from northern cliffs reported.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand is reported as the main composition; some sources also describe mixed areas.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size reported as medium; large swells can exceed ~3 meters.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with rocky sections.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch area reported as easy.
Through the year
Low to moderate; busiest on weekends with local surfers.
Extremely dry climate with very rare rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach break that is often working in winter; best conditions occur in June with clean southwest swell plus offshore northeast winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal tide reported as mid.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to prevailing wind and swell.
- Wind Effect
- Best when offshore winds come from the northeast; afternoon winds can make conditions choppy and sometimes blown out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swells exceed 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good overall; also described as average in some season/conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rideable sections on good days reported around 50 to 100 meters.
- Ride Length Details
- On good days, waves can offer rideable sections for approximately 50 to 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cordeles in the full forecast view.
Other spots in the area
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
- strong currents
- rip currents possible during large swells
- rocks scattered along the bottom and shoreline
- isolation
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional group context indicates limited water rescue services via the Coast Guard; spot-level sources also report no direct rescue onsite.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility is in Antofagasta (Hospital Regional de Antofagasta). Regional maritime emergency support is reachable via 137.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local surfers frequent the spot; generally low to moderate crowding.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies.
- Best surf conditions are reported when a southwest swell combines with offshore winds from the northeast.
- For wind-driven decline, the spot is best in the early morning before southerly/thermal winds pick up.
- Use a thick wetsuit year-round because water is cold.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Antofagasta
- Nearest Town
- Antofagasta
- Parking
- Dirt parking areas available near the beach.
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily via private vehicle or taxi from Antofagasta; limited public bus services run along coastal Route 1.
- Access
- Accessible by vehicle via coastal roads north of the city center.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation available in Antofagasta city.
- Food & Drink
- Minimal facilities at the beach; bring water and supplies from the city.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available in surf shops in central Antofagasta.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cordeles?
The best overall months at Cordeles are June, July, August. The best wind months are June.
Which wind directions work at Cordeles?
Cordeles works with NE, ESE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Cordeles suitable for?
Cordeles suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.