Puclaro kitesurf: the Elqui Valley reservoir at Gualliguaica
Embalse Puclaro, a reservoir in Chile's Elqui Valley, has a thermal wind pushed through the valley. In summer it blows 20 to 30 knots and is strong by noon.
Yes, Puclaro is a good place to kitesurf from December to February. The reservoir at Gualliguaica, in Chile’s Elqui Valley, gets a thermal wind of 20 to 30 knots in summer, and IKSurfMag counts December, January and February among its windiest months. Windsurfers ride the same wind.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Why is Puclaro so windy?
The wind is a thermal, made stronger by a Venturi effect as the Elqui Valley squeezes it. It builds from about 10:00 and is strong by noon. At the beach it blows cross-onshore from the right.
In summer IKSurfMag gives 20 to 30 knots. In winter it drops to 15 to 25.
When is the season at Puclaro?
| Source | Months |
|---|---|
| Kitesurf Gualliguaica, the local IKO school | Consistent wind October to April |
| IKSurfMag | Windiest January to May and September to December |
The whole December to February window is covered by both.
What is the water like?
Puclaro is a reservoir, so there are no ocean waves. Near the shore it is flat water with chop. In the middle of the lake the wind raises a swell of up to about 1 m. There is no shorebreak.
Can beginners kitesurf at Puclaro?
Yes. IKSurfMag says riders of all levels use the beach area, and the local school gives lessons. Starting with a school is the simplest way to learn the spot and its routine. More on the sports: kitesurf and windsurf.
What should you pack?
Summer days are hot, with air at 27 to 32 °C, and the evenings are chilly. Bring a warm layer for after the session.
The sources we used list no particular hazards for Puclaro. Ask at the school about local rules and the best launch area before your first session.
How do you get to Puclaro?
Fly to La Serena La Florida (LSC). The reservoir is about 45 minutes away by car.
Across the Andes, at nearly the same latitude, Cuesta del Viento in Argentina is another reservoir with a strong afternoon wind. For waves on Chile’s coast, see Matanzas.
How windy is Puclaro 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embalse Puclaro, Gualliguaica | 99% | 98% | 95% | 10.7 kn | W |
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 Puclaro 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 does the wind start at Puclaro?
It builds from about 10:00 and is strong by noon.
Is Puclaro good for learning to kitesurf?
Yes. Riders of all levels use the beach area, the water is flat with chop and there is no shorebreak. A local school gives lessons.
Which airport is closest to Puclaro?
La Serena (LSC), about 45 minutes away by car.
