Purema (Tomé)
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Purema (Tomé) is an exposed sandy beach-break near Tomé that’s known for delivering reliable surfing across much of the year, with around 150 rideable days reported annually. The spot is generally described as offering a mix of left- and right-hand options, though a left-hand bias is frequently noted, making it a straightforward place to practice direction and takeoff timing. The surf performs best around low tide, and it tends to start working around roughly 1.0–1.5 m, with wave energy building up to about 3 m+ before conditions may begin to close out. Wave quality is typically reported as good to moderate in power, with a peeling/mixed shape that can suit learning progressions—while still being exposed. Wind plays a key role in how clean the waves look: southeast winds are the preferred offshore direction, and south winds may still offer some shelter at the beach. Practical conditions and comfort are strongly affected by the Humboldt Current—water temperatures are cold year-round, and a thick wetsuit is considered essential even in the warmest months. Access involves Playa Purema and the nearby private farm property (Fundo Purema). Plan for car travel, possible access fees, parking arrangements, and limited on-site amenities (especially limited food), and treat the shoreline as hazardous in places due to submerged rocks/rock sections and the possibility of rip currents depending on swell.
- Very consistent surf frequency (about 150 days/year reported)
- Low tide is the best window
- Southeast offshore winds help keep faces clean
- Cold, clean water—thick wetsuit strongly recommended
- Highly consistent, surfable beach-break with reported reliability on about 150 days per year
- Low-tide window for best performance
- Southeast offshore winds commonly help groom wave faces for cleaner surf
- Beginner-friendly general suitability reported (for forgiving power and learning conditions)
- Cold water year-round (Humboldt Current influence) requiring thick neoprene
- Exposed beach-break conditions with potential submerged/rock hazards near the shore
- Rip currents possible depending on swell size
- Access is through private property and may require a small fee; parking can involve property-managed arrangements
- Very limited food options; visitors are advised to bring supplies
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Exposed coastal beach-break conditions with a strongly offshore SE wind component for clean surf (plus some south-wind shelter at the spot).
- Reliability
- Very consistent (about 150 surfable days per year).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds reported.
- Best Months
- May
- Shadow Zones
- Some shelter from south winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rocks.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach at Playa Purema; some rocks at the edges.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Direct shore access; generally easy to launch from the beach.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; weekend crowds can increase during summer.
May to August
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-break near Tomé with a left-hand bias reported; also described as offering both left and right waves depending on the day. Best around low tide with working swell around 1.0–1.5 m and a maximum hold up to about 3 m+.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Sources consistently note low tide as the best window.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best with southeast offshore wind for cleaner faces; south winds can add some chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds its shape up to around 3 m; larger swell can start closing out (reported as beginning to close out when swell exceeds ~3 m).
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Reported as mixed/peeling depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short, with longer days reaching 50–150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Common rides are generally under 50 m, with some longer sessions reaching 50–150 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Purema (Tomé) 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
- Exposed beach-break conditions
- Potential rock sections in the bottom
- Submerged rocks near the shore and at the edges of the bay
- Cold water
- Rip currents possible depending on swell size
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Maritime rescue is provided by the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) via emergency number 137; general emergencies in Chile: 131 for ambulance, 133 for police. Nearest major medical facility is Hospital de Tomé.
Rules of the spot
Surf around low tide is reported as best; be prepared for exposed beach-break conditions.
- Access through private property may require a small fee.
- Best conditions are reported around low tide.
- Southeast winds are the preferred offshore direction for cleaner surf.
- Access is via private property (Fundo Purema); plan logistics and bring supplies since food options can be very limited.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Concepción
- Nearest Town
- Tomé
- Parking
- Parking is available in a designated area near the beach, often managed by property owners for a fee.
- Access
- Beach access at Playa Purema near Tomé (Fundo Purema); typically reached via a dirt/gravel road through private property. Car is necessary.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available around Tomé; more variety is in Tomé or Dichato.
- Food & Drink
- Very limited; visitors are advised to bring their own supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- Specialized non-surfing rentals are described as scarce; surfing/wetsuits focus is implied.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Purema (Tomé)?
The best overall months at Purema (Tomé) are May.
Which wind directions work at Purema (Tomé)?
Purema (Tomé) works with SE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE.
What skill level is Purema (Tomé) suitable for?
Purema (Tomé) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.