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Surf Camp
Portofino Surf Camp
📍 Atacama and Coquimbo, Chile
🏄
Surf Level
Beginner, Intermediate
Starting from €57/week
About
Portofino Surf Camp sits on the coast of northern Chile, in the small town of Chanaral at the edge of the Atacama Desert. This unlikely surf destination combines desert landscapes with consistent Pacific swells, offering a unique experience far from the crowded lineups of mainstream surf spots. The resort operates five fully-equipped apartments with a swimming pool, garden, and direct beach access where waves break year-round.
The Atacama coastline sees surf all year, with the best conditions typically arriving during the Chilean autumn and winter months when southern swells push up from Antarctica. Rodolfo, the owner and host, is a local surfer and fisherman who has been riding these waves for decades. He runs the surf lessons himself, teaching everyone from complete beginners to more experienced surfers looking to improve. The resort sits along Ruta 5 Sur at kilometer 948, roughly 30 minutes south of Chanaral town. The setup is straightforward: five apartments of varying sizes (sleeping 2 to 6 people), all with private bathrooms, WiFi, smart TVs, and kitchen facilities. The larger units come with sea views and terraces. What sets this place apart is the location, combining the raw beauty of the driest desert on Earth with reliable surf conditions and virtually empty lineups. If you time your visit right (every 3 to 10 years), you might witness the rare desert bloom when unusual rainfall transforms the Atacama into a carpet of wildflowers.
