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FINN MELLON’S ULTIMATE CHILE GUIDE!

Irish windsurfer Finn Mellon lays out his go-to guide for navigating Chile’s raw and rugged coastline. After falling head over heels for the waves, culture and adventure in 2024, he’s back this season and even planning a Wave Camp for next year. From when to go to, what gear to pack and how much its going to cost! This guide covers everything you need, to score in this epic wave-sailing playground.

Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries and Finn Mellon!

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FINN MELLON

“Hey, I am Finn Mellon, a wave chaser from Ireland, and this is my personal guide to one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been: Chile.

Last year was my first time exploring its wild coastline, and I instantly fell in love with the waves, the people, the rugged scenery, and the raw adventure of it all. It exceeded every expectation I had, and that’s saying something! I knew I had to come back… and here I am again, already planning my third return. Yeah, it’s that good.

If you’re curious about windsurfing in Chile, especially around the Matanzas / Navidad area, or just want a fresh spot to explore, I’ve packed everything I’ve learned into this guide; from when to come, what gear to bring, where to stay, and even how to survive your supermarket runs. And hey, I’m also planning a Wave Experience Camp here next year; So, feel free to drop me a message!

SOME BASICS ABOUT CHILE.

There seems to be two times of year to come here for windsurfing. November-December, Windier chance of less swell. The chances of sailing jumping spots opens up.

Jan/Feb Sounds best avoided in Windsurfing terms for the Navidad region. They get a lot of sea fog as the inland temperatures are much higher than the coast, this sea fog reduces the chances of getting much wind.

March April – This seems the best time of year for Waves & Wind combo. If you also surf, then can get on the water every single day and you will be amazed by the quality of conditions.

GETTING HERE!

Flights are okay for this time of year (April). Similar prices of Cape Town flights. For me coming from Ireland the best route is flying to the USA then to Chile. I flew with Delta Airlines, Dublin-Atlanta- Santiago for €780 return (not including board bags… for 3X23kgs I paid 225 one way)

For those looking to come from the UK/Euro it seems like flying from Madrid or Paris is a very popular option, Direct to SCL airport in Santiago. Lucas had an interesting route this year with Avianca airlines that flew from London- Bogota- Santiago.

Once you land in Santiago it is a 2.5-hour drive Southwest to Matanzas, quite an easy drive. I recommend perhaps getting some food at the airport or nearby gas station if you are hungry on arrival. The drive doesn’t have too many food options.

Knowing some basic Spanish is important here in Chile, there is very little English spoken here, It’s not like the Canary Islands! I like it like that, feels very authentic.

GEAR TO BRING

This is quite seasonal dependant. For Spring as I am now, your big sails are very important… I have been on 5.0 for every session except one when I went 4.5 at Matanzas. However, it is useful to bring a medium small sail (in my case a 4.0) as if you stay at Topocalma all day it can often get pretty windy. If I were coming on holiday my quiver would be Goya 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. Maybe bring a spare 400 Mast, Boards: Quatro 81L & 89L. (Weight 78/80kg)

My most used board has been my big board.

Pack a surfboard, one with a good amount of paddle power (often long paddles back to the point and rips).

CAR / TRUCK RENTAL

We have always had a 4X4, it’s not essential but is nice to have.

Now that the other route to Topocalma has been much improved you can get there with a 2wheel drive but if money isn’t a problem I would recommend 4X4 especially for a few of the surf spots. In general roads are pretty good this year, improved from last year.

Lucas Victor & I have rented from friends of Victor in the past, but I know quite a lot of people use ‘Rent A Car Chile’ to get their trucks.

Bring roof rack straps!! Don’t make the rookie mistake Lucas and I made on our first trip in forgetting straps ha ha.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

I would aim to stay in Matanzas or surrounding areas like Pupuya.

Lucas and I have been very lucky to have good friend Victor Fernandez offer us a place in his beautiful house that he built here in Matanzas in 2007.

There are plenty of options around Matanzas ones to suit big or small groups at reasonable prices. From talking around I think people are paying between 20 and 40 euro a night.

If you are looking for something a bit fancier, you can look to stay at Hotel Surazo, which is directly on the beach at Matanzas. You can roll out of bed, Watch the waves as you have breakfast then step out of your balcony onto the beach where you left your rigged gear! It’s a beautiful hotel and the restaurant offers some fantastic food. You must get the chocolate fondant cake when you go. Victor got it many years ago and insisted we tried it too, Now I insist on you trying it too!

DAILY LIVING & DINNER COSTS

I must say the supermarkets are not cheap! And they are also very different to home, at first the shops are bit of a culture shock compared to shopping at home or in Cape Town. The shops are very basic.

Matanzas has three little corner shops that have the essentials but when you are looking to do your weekly shop you drive 15 minutes to Navidad where a week’s shopping here is about 80/100 euro and the grocery shop is about 35 euro. The supermarkets here are quite a culture shock for us Europeans.

Eating out in Matanzas comes with a little premium on prices.

Pizza and a lemonade can cost 20 euro.

Ceviche and drink 15 euro.

An Empanada is 4 euro.

Drive slightly out of town and you will find dinner/lunch that quite a bit cheaper

HOTEL SURAZO

HOTEL SURAZO

Cost of Staying in Hotel Surazo!

A Private Room with a Double bed & Sea View is €180 a night.

The Bunk Bedrooms which share up to 5 people are €50 per person.

BREAKFAST & DINNER

Breakfast at Surazo Ranges Between €5-10 euro.

A beer costs €5/6 euro

Bottle of wine on average between €19 and €30

Starter Costs roughly €12-13

Steak for dinner expect around €23 or Fish for €18.

Pizza €11-14 euro

TRUCK RENTAL 

Week Truck rental from – ‘Rent a Car Chile’.

4X2 Toyota Hilux – €401.17 – €57 a day

4X4 Toyota Hilux – €449- €64 a day

FORECASTS

My take on it so far is you are after SW or SSW winds, The more South the wind is the more offshore it is at Matanzas. Topocalma is pretty similar but maybe a bit more offshore. The first turn and out back sailing at Matanzas is surprisingly onshore at times.

Swell Matanzas likes a SW swell as does Topocalma. NW and I think the swell comes more straight into the bay, thus making the wave faster and more of a closeout.

GETTING TO TOPOCALMA!

We used to drive along the beach and through the sand dunes which a 4X4 was essential for, but now they have improved the alternative route and it’s actually a really beautiful and much easier drive to Topocalma. It takes just a little over an hour. On this route you can easily do it in a 2-wheel drive. If you want a bit more comfort and piece of mind still worth going for a 4X4. Also don’t be afraid to let air out of the wheels, Makes for a much more comfortable drive on the bumpy parts of the road.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR AT TOPOCALMA & MATANZAS!

At Topocalma you want to be careful not to get stuck on the beach, that mistake could leave you sleeping in your truck until the next person arrives. Long walk to anywhere from here. I would advise to bring a surfboard in case you were to get skunked on wind.

When it comes to what to watch out for at Matanzas, there isn’t too much besides the actual wave itself, I would recommend bringing a big board, as it would be very easy to completely sink here on your smaller equipment. When the swell is bigger, there is a lot of water moving around so maybe not the safest option if you are not too confident in your water capabilities. Much easier when it’s small. The rocks aren’t scary here, so not much to worry about there.

Hope you have enjoyed reading a few pointers about Chile. I really recommend visiting here, it has become one of my favourite places in the world.

WAVE CAMP

As I mentioned earlier, I will be running a Wave Camp in Chile next year, if you would like to hear more. Email me [email protected]!”

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COST SUMMARY

Scenario A: Budget Stay, Shared Costs!!

Flights (per person)

• Flight + board bag = €1,230

Truck Rental (shared)

• 4×4 Toyota Hilux = €896 total

• Split between two = €448 per person

Budget Accommodation (shared)

• €30/night room split between two = €15 each

• 14 nights x €15 = €210 per person

Food (split)

• Groceries for 2 = €400 total → €200 each

• Eating out (4 meals at €20, 4 at €10) = €120 per person

Misc/Fuel (split)

• Fuel/other = €125 → €62.50 per person

Total: ~ €2,270 per person

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Scenario B: Hotel Surazo, Shared Costs!!

Flights (per person)

• Still €1,230

Truck Rental (shared)

• Same as above = €448 per person

Hotel Surazo (shared 2 person)

• €180/night private sea-view room

• €90 each per night x 14 nights = €1,260 per person

Food (mostly eating at hotel)

• 7 dinners (€23), 7 breakfasts (€8), 3 pizzas (€13), 2 ceviches )Fish dish) (€15) = approx. €300 per person

• Some groceries/snacks: €100 per person

Misc/Fuel (split)

• Same = €62.50 per person

Total: ~ €3,400 per person

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Summary:

BUDGET STAY: COST PER PERSON: €2270

HOTEL SURAZO (Shared) €3400