Surf Forecasts:
El Chinchorro surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,631 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Chinchorro this week:
The surf forecast for El Chinchorro over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Chinchorro in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Chinchorro over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gonna give you the straight-up picture for the local stretch.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty underwhelming with small, weak swell and mostly marginal conditions. Sunday morning the 23rd is the first real highlight, with clean, glassy conditions at El Chinchorro and a small but rideable 3ft swell from the SSW. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 66°, which is a nice bonus. It’s a consistent spot, so you can expect a few fun little waves even if the energy is still modest (270).
The pattern really shifts on Friday the 28th. That afternoon sees a serious pulse of SW groundswell hitting 10ft with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is massive at 3635, but here’s the catch – that’s expert-only territory. It’s too big for the average punter, and with a long period like that, it’ll be powerful and demanding. Winds are light offshore, making it look clean, but it’s a beast. The morning of the 28th still has 8ft of the same swell, which is also serious.
After that peak, the swell slowly eases through the end of August and into the first week of September, but it stays solid. The period remains long, meaning the waves will have good shape and punch, but the consistent offshore wind keeps it clean. The standout in the second week is Thursday the 3rd of September. The swell is 5ft to 5ft from the SW with a very long 19-18 second period, and the energy is strong (2014-2098). The wind is light offshore, so it’ll be clean with good lines. This is the best all-round bet for intermediate to advanced surfers.
The following days drop off a bit in size but still offer fun, clean waves with that long-period groundswell feel. By the 6th, we’re back to small stuff.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 151 | 161 | 156 | 183 | 96 | 92 | 92 | 243 | 167 | 164 | 288 | 250 | 230 | 135 | 152 | 220 | 432 | 3314 | 3631 | 2643 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:25PM0.61m | 6:07AM1.04m | 6:29PM0.64m | 6:56AM1.09m | 7:17PM0.68m | 7:37AM1.13m | 7:57PM0.73m | 8:13AM1.16m | 8:33PM0.78m | 8:46AM1.18m | 9:07PM0.84m | 9:18AM1.18m | 9:40PM0.89m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:49PM0.36m | 1:15PM0.37m | 11:51PM0.34m | 1:54PM0.32m | 00:44AM0.30m | 2:26PM0.28m | 1:29AM0.27m | 2:55PM0.24m | 2:09AM0.24m | 3:23PM0.21m | 2:47AM0.22m | 3:50PM0.18m | 3:25AM0.22m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 151 | 161 | 156 | 183 | 96 | 92 | 92 | 243 | 167 | 164 | 288 | 250 | 230 | 135 | 152 | 220 | 432 | 3314 | 3631 | 2643 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | WSW 12 | — | W 14 | — |
| kJ | 61 | 30 | 69 | 42 | 57 | 52 | 49 | 8 | 116 | 102 | 43 | 144 | 106 | 120 | 80 | 54 | 184 | — | 4 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 18 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 11 | SSW 19 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 20 | WSW 19 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 53 | 28 | 45 | 6 | 18 | 25 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 8 | 41 | 37 | 33 | 28 | 100 | 233 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 114 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 52 | 144 | 0 | 52 | 21 | 0 | 144 | 196 | 0 | 52 | 147 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Atacama | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Chinchorro Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Chinchorro provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Chinchorro can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Chinchorro surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (El Chinchorro) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for El Chinchorro may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
El Chinchorro is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Arica. If you plan a holiday in Atacama, look for hotels and other accommodation in Arica. Arica has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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