Surf Forecasts:
El Chinchorro surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 614 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period with SW 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 (Jul 18) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2PM. 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+) | 5PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Chinchorro over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at El Chinchorro, and it’s looking like a real treat for anyone who likes clean, consistent waves. The water’s sitting at about 64.4°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The break is consistent and works best with a solid SW swell, and we’ve got plenty of that on the way.
We kick off this Saturday morning (18 July) with glassy conditions, light offshore wind from the west, and a clean 4.3 ft SW swell (11 seconds). The combined energy is moderate (639), and the waves are going to be super clean – perfect for a beginner or anyone wanting an easy, fun session. The afternoon holds up with a similar vibe, though the swell drops a bit to 3.0 ft but with a longer 14-second period, still glassy. Crowds are possible but not a given.
Sunday morning (19 July) the swell builds to 4.3 ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy offshore again – energy jumps to 1032, so there’s a bit more push. The afternoon stays glassy with 4.6 ft SW, 12 seconds. Good stuff.
Monday (20 July) and Tuesday (21 July) see the swell drop a little, around 3.6 ft, but the wind goes cross-on shore, making conditions a bit choppy. Not terrible, but not the best. The energy is moderate (500-550). Wednesday (22 July) is similar, with small waves and cross-on breeze. Worth a look if you’re desperate, but I’d wait.
Thursday (23 July) picks up again – 5.2 ft SW swell, 11 seconds, but the wind is
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 20 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 422 | 330 | 277 | 538 | 578 | 464 | 302 | 307 | 443 | 341 | 336 | 256 | 238 | 258 | 268 | 553 | 543 | 399 | 318 | 239 | 157 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:01PM1.25m | 00:45AM0.87m | 12:47PM1.12m | 1:43AM0.90m | 1:34PM0.99m | 2:43AM0.93m | 2:25PM0.86m | 3:46AM0.96m | 3:24PM0.76m | 4:49AM1.00m | 4:32PM0.68m | 5:48AM1.05m | 5:42PM0.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:46PM0.13m | 6:24AM0.28m | 7:28PM0.16m | 7:27AM0.36m | 8:10PM0.20m | 8:40AM0.42m | 8:55PM0.24m | 10:04AM0.46m | 9:41PM0.27m | 11:31AM0.45m | 10:32PM0.29m | 12:45PM0.41m | 11:24PM0.30m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 |
| kJ | 422 | 328 | 234 | 538 | 578 | 464 | 302 | 307 | 443 | 341 | 336 | 256 | 238 | 258 | 268 | 553 | 543 | 399 | 318 | 208 | 138 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 196 | 330 | 277 | 371 | 131 | 269 | 210 | 226 | 200 | 176 | 183 | 170 | 135 | 103 | 114 | 197 | 229 | 121 | 303 | 147 | 81 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 9 | W 16 | W 22 | W 21 | W 21 | W 20 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 26 | SW 24 | W 18 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SW 20 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 21 | 21 | 69 | 123 | 109 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 33 | 1 | 4 | 105 | 147 | 26 | 57 | 224 | 104 | 239 | 157 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 144 | 0 | 0 | 197 | 114 | 0 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 147 | 4 | 0 | 144 | 144 | 0 | 144 | 144 | 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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