Las Machas

Las Machas, Tarapacá, Chile is a well-known beach break near Iquique on Chile’s northern coast, in the Tarapacá Region. It’s one of the area’s classic surf spots and is especially appreciated for its consistency in a zone that gets regular Pacific swell.

What it’s like

• Type of break: Mostly beach break
• Wave quality: Can produce clean, fast, hollow waves when conditions line up
• Best on: Swells from the south and southwest, with favorable winds and a bit of tidal support
• Skill level: Often best for intermediate to advanced surfers, since the waves can be powerful and shallow in sections

Conditions

• The spot is exposed to Pacific swell, so it can work often.
• Like many northern Chile spots, it benefits from the region’s dry climate and long stretches of surfable weather.
• Crowds can build when conditions are good, especially because it’s a popular surf zone near Iquique.

Environment

• The shoreline is typically open, sandy, and windswept, with a desert backdrop that’s characteristic of northern Chile.
• Water temperatures are usually cool to cold, so a wetsuit is commonly needed.

Good to know

• Conditions can change quickly with wind and tide.
• Because it’s a beach break, the takeoff zones may shift along the sandbars.
• It’s a solid spot for surfers looking for a consistent northern Chile wave with power and shape.