Rada Tilly (Chubut)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Rada Tilly is an exposed Patagonian beach break with a wide sandy bay and a strong focus on board sports. Surf is generally described as consistent and peels nicely when conditions line up: it typically starts working around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold sets up to roughly 3 m+, with good overall wave quality. Rides are commonly short on smaller days but can extend to about 50–150 m on better sessions. Wind at this spot is primarily associated with west to northwest directions, which tend to groom the water for surfing and provide workable conditions for wind sports. Kitesurfing can be a viable option thanks to the large sandy launch area, but it may be demanding due to gusty strong offshore winds. For windsurfing, the area is especially relevant when the wind takes on a more southerly component; wingfoiling is possible, but depth at low tide may require extra walking to clear sandbars and foil-friendly conditions are described as limited. Safety is a key consideration. The water remains cold year-round, and hazards include strong offshore winds, rip currents, and submerged rocks near the cliffs at the bay ends. Check the tide beforehand—depth and beach width can change significantly—and confirm wind direction before committing to the water. Lifeguard presence is described as seasonal and spot-level rescue availability as limited, so self-assessment and caution are important. The atmosphere is generally quiet. Crowds are reported as empty or very low for surfing and wind sports, even on days with waves. Access is straightforward via National Route 3 with the final approach to Rada Tilly by road, and there is ample parking along the coastal promenade and promenade area. Overall, it’s best framed as a reliable, uncrowded beach-sports destination centered on west/NW conditions and east-to-southeast swells for surf days.
- Exposed but consistent beach-break surf
- Works from small (around 1.0–1.5 m) through about 3 m+
- Wide, firm sandy launch with instant beach access (<5 minutes walk)
- Typically empty/very low crowds
- West to NW wind directions groom surf faces (offshore)
- Reliable west to NW/offshore wind pattern for multiple wind sports.
- Wide sandy beach with instant access (short walk) and generally easy launch.
- Good surf potential with consistent beach-break character; works from small to larger sets.
- Typically quiet: crowd described as empty/very low, even when waves are present.
- Cold water year-round; thick wetsuit and boots strongly recommended.
- Gusty strong offshore winds can be challenging (especially for kitesurfing).
- Submerged rocks near the cliffs and rip currents; rescue described as limited at spot level.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, NW, WSW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Westerly “Pampero” frontal winds are common in the region; spot itself is best with W to NW directions.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Gusty offshore winds can make setup/ride conditions challenging.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach; sometimes described as sandy with some rocks.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf sizes described as small to medium; commonly starts around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to ~3 m+.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Water described as chop at the spot level; can vary with conditions and tide.
- Launch
- Big — Very wide, firm sandy beach; direct beach access with instant access (<5 min walk).
Through the year
Highest crowds in January and February; very quiet during winter months; also described as empty year-round.
Rain is infrequent; wind storms are common year-round.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible but can be challenging with gusty offshore winds; the wide sandy beach provides room for setup and riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Suitable for freeride and wave riding; more effective when wind shifts toward a more southerly component.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Possible within the bay, but depth at low tide can require a significant walk to clear sandbars. Check for depth and surface conditions.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions described as limited.
- Min Depth
- deepens slowly
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf; works from roughly 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to around 3 m+. Depending on the setup, it can offer both directions of wave travel.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Best described as all-tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally exposed, but described as semi-sheltered in practice; southern point can offer more organized sets.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West groom the swell and help create cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 3 meters, but bigger conditions can mean a heavier paddle-out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality overall.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power; holds up to larger sets before heavy paddle-outs on bigger days.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling, beach-break character.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical good-day rides are generally 50 to 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (<50m) on smaller/typical days; 50–150m on good days (about 100 m typical on good days).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rada Tilly (Chubut) in the full forecast view.
Rada Tilly (Chubut) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ENE64°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2915 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 6–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rada Tilly (Chubut) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.4–1.8 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
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
- cold water
- strong offshore winds (gusty)
- submerged rocks near the cliffs
- rip currents
- submerged rocks/isolated rocks at the bay ends
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards present seasonally.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level rescue availability described as limited; wider area maritime safety and rescue provided by Prefectura Naval Argentina in the San Jorge Gulf area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Comodoro Rivadavia (about 15 minutes away). For emergencies: 911 or 106 (Coast Guard).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; avoid designated land-sailing areas when active. Check tide and wind direction before launching.
- Motorized craft restrictions near swimmers.
- Always check tide charts as the beach becomes much larger at low tide and depths can change significantly.
- If seaweed is present, avoid it and check wind direction to reduce the chance of seaweed blowing ashore (seaweed note).
- Wear a thick wetsuit and boots; water stays cold even in summer.
- Check wind direction to confirm it’s offshore/grooming rather than pushing debris/seaweed toward swimmers.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Comodoro Rivadavia
- Nearest Town
- Rada Tilly
- Nearest Airport
- General Enrique Mosconi International Airport (CRD), about 25 km away
- Parking
- Ample parking along the coastal promenade (also noted: parking pricing in summer vs free in low season).
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services (Line 10) connect Comodoro Rivadavia with the Rada Tilly coastal area
- Access
- Accessible via National Route 3, then 14 km south of Comodoro Rivadavia.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various accommodations within the town of Rada Tilly; Hostel Roots backpackers noted about 300 m from the ocean (spot-local note).
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beach bars ('paradores') and restaurants along Avenida Armada Española; also described as a quiet beach town with local hostels.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at local surf shops and schools (and via sport schools).
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as available via local nautical clubs (primarily members/students of schools).
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs available through local surf schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The broader Rada Tilly coast combines rugged Patagonian nature with a resort-town setup and a strong outdoor-sports scene centered on the bay and its sandy shoreline.
A plateau and nature reserve offering panoramic views and a permanent colony of South American sea lions.
Museum dedicated to natural history and archaeology of the central Patagonian coast.
Rada Tilly is known for land sailing thanks to hard, flat sand at low tide.
Numerous seafood restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the beach.
A long pedestrian walk along the beach, suitable for families, cycling, and sightseeing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Rada Tilly (Chubut)?
The best overall months at Rada Tilly (Chubut) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July.
Which wind directions work at Rada Tilly (Chubut)?
Rada Tilly (Chubut) works with W, WNW, NW, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Rada Tilly (Chubut)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Rada Tilly (Chubut): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Windsurfing: 4–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Rada Tilly (Chubut) suitable for?
Rada Tilly (Chubut) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.