Surf spot

La Cupula

Forecast conditions and map view for La Cupula in Chile, Antofagasta. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Chile, Antofagasta
Coordinates: -23.7166, -70.4366

Metric
Metric	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00
Wave height (m)	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.7	1.8	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7
Wave direction	SW	WSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW
Wave period (s)	11.1	11.3	10.7	10.7	10.6	10.5	9.2	5.4	5.2	5.5	5.6	7.6	7.8	7.7	7.5	7.3	7.2	7.2	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7	6.6	6.5	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	11.1	10.8	12.1	12.2	11.8	11.7	11.4	11.3	11.1	10.9	10.8	10.7	10.6	10.6	10.4	10.3	10.3	10.2	10.2	9.8	9.8	11.1	11.6	10.8	10.7
Wave energy (kJ)	267	233	220	200	188	187	148	84	82	100	103	303	319	323	329	326	324	300	262	237	227	215	194	173	161	141	124	109	96	87	79	225	215	270	284	270	261	242	233	216	210	187	177	159	150	140	129	128	114	107	84	79	83	84	109	106
Wind speed (km/h)	7.4	9.5	13	7.9	20.9	22.2	17.5	2.3	6.2	12.1	2.3	3.5	15.9	12.5	12.2	8.4	6.9	9.7	6	8	13.4	11.6	12.5	9.2	9.2	7.7	10.1	12.4	14.6	12.1	10.7	7.6	5.5	5.1	1.8	3.6	9.8	12	7.9	4.1	5.7	1.9	4	7.2	10.3	9	10.1	6.1	7.2	2.9	4.3	8.7	13.3	12.3	10.9	9.1
Wind direction	SSWCross	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	SSWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWGlassy	ESEGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	WOnshore	NEGlassy	NWGlassy	WOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWGlassy	WSWOnshore	NNWGlassy	WSWGlassy	SWCross-on	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	WSWOnshore	WNWGlassy	SGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on

La Cúpula is a surf spot in Antofagasta, Chile, on the country’s rugged northern Pacific coast. It’s known for its exposed coastal setting and the powerful waves common in this part of Chile, where the coastline faces a long open stretch of the Pacific.

Quick description

Location: Antofagasta, northern Chile
Wave type: Typically a beach break / reef-affected break depending on the exact section
Conditions: Often gets strong Pacific swell, with relatively consistent surf during the right seasons
Best for: Usually more suited to intermediate to advanced surfers, especially when the swell is up
Water: Cool, so a wetsuit is commonly needed

What it’s like

La Cúpula is part of the raw, arid, desert coastline that makes Antofagasta unique. The scenery is dramatic, with steep coastal terrain and a stark desert backdrop. Surf here can be powerful and fast, and like many spots in northern Chile, it can get very serious when the swell and wind line up.

Things to keep in mind

Conditions can change quickly with swell direction and wind
Some sections may have rocks or uneven bottom, so local knowledge helps
It’s a spot where respecting local surfers and checking conditions carefully is important