Surf Forecasts:
El Chinchorro surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,112 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s is also forecast. 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 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Chinchorro over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey everyone, Rusty here. Let’s talk El Chinchorro. This spot is consistent and exposed, with the best swell direction coming from the SW – and lucky for us, that’s what we’re seeing for most of the forecast. The water is 65°F, running a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Starting now through Sunday 16 August, we’ve got SW swell around 4ft to 4ft with an 11-second period. But the light WSW breeze at 6 mph is onshore, and conditions are called marginal. The combined energy is moderate (666-758), but the quality just isn’t there yet.
Monday 17 August morning is still a bit cross-onshore. But by the afternoon, the wind swings to NNE at 6 mph, going cross-offshore. The same 4ft SW swell at 14 seconds cleans right up. That’s a nice little session for those who can wait.
Tuesday 18 August we see a jump: 5ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon, 13-second period, light wind. Afternoon energy climbs to 1059 – solid moderate-to-strong. Things are getting better.
Wednesday 19 August sits at 5ft to 5ft, consistent, but still onshore.
The real standout is Thursday 20 August. Glassy. Zero wind all day. Swell eases to 3ft-3ft, 13-second period. The surface will be like a mirror. This is the cleanest, most user-friendly day for the beginner crowd. Mark it.
Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August are smaller (2ft-4ft), but Saturday afternoon goes glassy with a 4ft SSW swell – tidy.
Sunday 23 August is glassy again, but small (3ft).
From Monday 24 August all the way through Saturday 29 August, we hit a quiet spell. Swell sits between 3ft and 5ft, light onshore wind, low energy (257-342). Conditions are marginal. A solid 6-day lull.
Sunday 30 August picks up a bit to 5ft-5ft SW, but cross-onshore wind messes with the surface.
Now the big one: Monday 31 August. A solid 7ft to 7ft SW groundswell, 13-second period. Afternoon goes glassy with combined energy of 1635 – that’s strong. This is for experienced surfers only. Afternoon glass-off on the 31st is the biggest and best power window of the whole run. Just know that long-period groundswell can change the way the break lines up.
Best bets: Thursday 20 August for clean, small fun, and Monday 31 August afternoon for the big and glassy session for the experts. The stretch from 24-29 August is mostly flat and quiet.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 350 | 389 | 595 | 472 | 464 | 466 | 854 | 1044 | 961 | 706 | 555 | 459 | 253 | 345 | 350 | 253 | 138 | 140 | 190 | 269 | 232 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:32AM1.13m | 00:10AM0.98m | 12:13PM1.00m | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:56PM0.87m | 1:51AM0.98m | 1:42PM0.76m | 2:52AM0.97m | 2:42PM0.67m | 3:59AM0.98m | 4:01PM0.62m | 5:07AM1.00m | 5:25PM0.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:58PM0.15m | 6:08AM0.27m | 6:34PM0.19m | 7:06AM0.35m | 7:10PM0.24m | 8:13AM0.41m | 7:50PM0.30m | 9:35AM0.45m | 8:39PM0.34m | 11:07AM0.45m | 9:41PM0.37m | 12:23PM0.42m | 10:49PM0.36m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 |
| kJ | 350 | 389 | 595 | 472 | 464 | 466 | 854 | 1044 | 961 | 706 | 555 | 459 | 216 | 165 | 157 | 136 | 133 | 140 | 190 | 269 | 232 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 304 | 314 | 160 | 99 | 64 | 58 | — | 15 | 81 | 167 | 206 | 305 | 253 | 345 | 350 | 253 | 138 | 120 | 69 | 114 | 139 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 22 | SW 21 | SW 10 | SW 19 | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 12 | 45 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 86 | 97 | 91 | 9 | 18 | 37 | 58 | 76 | 31 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 196 | 114 | 114 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 196 | 144 | 0 | 197 | 147 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 196 | 21 | 0 | 196 | 0 | 2 |
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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