First, the good news. With a coastline the length of Chile's and a relatively small population of dedicated surfers, there's little competition for the fantastic waves the Pacific kicks up. Even at beach towns like Pichilemu, which is close to the major population centers of central Chile, the competition's not that abundant. Now the bad news. Except around the northern Atacama beach resorts of Iquique and Arica, the cold Pacific currents make wet suits essential even in midsummer. And some beaches are too dangerous for most surfers.

So where do you go? In and around central Chile, the summer months from January to March are the surfing peak, but winter storms bring the best waves to the deserts in the north.