Surf: Iquique's banner spot is Colegio, found just opposite the main high school. It's a thick, muscle-bound right that pumps up nicely as the swell increases and will handle up to the triple-overhead mark fairly effortlessly. Following the local trend for vertical drops into a draining barrel section, the difference here is it can keep spinning down the line for a good 100m. Picture perfect in the sparkling morning glass, it is still a challenging prospect and lesser surfers should beware. Handles most tides through the size range and prefers the push, with high giving more room for error on the peak. Needs at least headhigh conditions to start breaking and just gets better from there. Environment: So crowds of rippers and bodyboarders will be on hand when it is firing, which is fairly often and travellers need to show respect to both the locals and the wave. The Vertical Surf Shop is just across the road and a main hang out, with good stock of surfing essentials. Watch out for clean-up sets that close out the channel and keep an eye on the outside indicator bomboras.