Matanzas kitesurf: wave riding on Chile's central coast
Matanzas, in Navidad on Chile's central coast, is a wave spot for kitesurf and windsurf. The wind is strongest from August to January, so December and January beat February.
Matanzas is good for wave kitesurf in December and January, and less reliable in February. IKSurfMag names August to January as the best and windiest months, with about 20 to 30 knots, and gives 15 to 25 knots for the rest of the year. It is an ocean wave spot on Chile’s central coast, not a flat-water one.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
What is the wind like at Matanzas?
IKSurfMag gives the wind as south-south-east at Matanzas, Roca Cuadrada and La Vega de Pupuya. Chile’s tourism board says the wind is strong almost all year round.
The wind is cold, and at Matanzas itself it can be gusty. Check the direction and strength on a local forecast before you drive out.
Which wave spots are near Matanzas?
IKSurfMag describes three.
| Spot | Waves | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matanzas | 1.5 to 3 m, a left | Shorebreak over sand; can be gusty |
| La Vega de Pupuya | 1.5 to 4 m | |
| Roca Cuadrada | 1.5 to 6 m | Reachable only by sea; driving there is not allowed |
Is Matanzas good for beginners?
The sources we used do not say which levels it suits. Every spot has waves of at least 1.5 m, and Matanzas has a shorebreak. If you are new to riding in waves, ask local riders before you go out.
What else can you do at Matanzas?
Chile’s tourism board lists windsurf and surf as well as kitesurf, and IKSurfMag adds SUP.
How do you get to Matanzas?
Fly to Santiago (SCL). Matanzas is about 165 km away, around 2.5 hours by road.
For flat water in Chile, Puclaro is a reservoir in the Elqui Valley with a strong summer wind. Further north, Paracas in Peru has a shallow bay that suits all levels.
How windy is Matanzas from December to February?
Share of days with at least three consecutive daylight hours at 11 knots (4 Beaufort) or more, over the last 10 southern summers (2015/16 to 2024/25).
| December | January | February | Mean daylight wind | Most common direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matanzas, Navidad | 65% | 60% | 52% | 10.8 kn | SW |
Our calculation from NASA POWER hourly wind at 10 m (MERRA-2 model), 09:00 to 18:00 local solar time. The model grid is about 50 km wide, so it smooths out local sea breezes and gusts: use these figures to compare spots and months, and check a local forecast before you go.
Where do people ride at Matanzas right now?
Explore+ in the Waterspeed web app shows recent sessions on a map, with sport and top speed, so you can see which spots are working before you go. Open Explore+. To record your own sessions, Waterspeed runs on iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS, and syncs Garmin, COROS and Suunto.
FAQ
When is the best time to kitesurf at Matanzas?
August to January, when IKSurfMag gives about 20 to 30 knots. It is kiteable all year, with 15 to 25 knots in the other months.
Can you drive to Roca Cuadrada?
No. It can only be reached by sea; driving there is not allowed.
How far is Matanzas from Santiago?
About 165 km, or 2.5 hours by road from Santiago airport (SCL).
