What wetsuit do you need in Chile?
The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 15 coastal cities in Chile.
| City | Coldest | Warmest | One suit for the season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antofagasta | 15.2°C Sep | 19.9°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Valparaíso | 12.6°C Sep | 16.9°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Puerto Montt | 10.3°C Jul | 17.3°C Jan | 4/3 mm full suit |
| Arica | 16.8°C Aug | 21.5°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Concepción | 11.7°C Aug | 14.2°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Iquique | 16.6°C Aug | 19.2°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| La Serena | 13.2°C Sep | 17.8°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Punta Arenas | 5.9°C Aug | 9.8°C Feb | 5/4 mm full suit |
| Lota | 11.7°C Aug | 13.9°C Mar | 4/3 mm full suit |
| Constitución | 12.1°C Aug | 14.5°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Calbuco | 10.3°C Aug | 15.8°C Jan | 4/3 mm full suit |
| Tocopilla | 16.3°C Sep | 20.8°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Pichilemu | 12.4°C Aug | 15.5°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Dalcahue | 10.2°C Aug | 13.9°C Jan | 4/3 mm full suit |
| Hanga Roa | 20.4°C Sep | 25.7°C Feb | nothing |
Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.
Sea temperature and swimming season in Chile →
Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from