El Colegio surf break

El Colegio surfForecast / Tarapaca / Chile

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Sunday 17 May 2026 -04
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
El Colegio surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's El Colegio sea temperature is
16.1° C
(Which is 3.4°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Colegio this week:

The surf forecast for El Colegio over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (May 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at El Colegio in the next 16 days are 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 12s period and expected on Sunday (May 24) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (-04) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 18th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 18th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 5AM (Mon 18th May)4ft (1.2m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Colegio over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sun
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.6
SSW
16
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
10
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
580
509
489
395
318
253
166
379
425
390
295
290
215
180
86
112
145
211
427
704
695
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SSW
5
NNW
10
SW
10
SSW
5
S
15
SSW
10
SSW
5
S
5
SW
5
SW
10
SSW
15
SSW
10
SSW
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:41PM0.99m
10:08AM1.58m
10:32PM0.95m
10:57AM1.57m
11:28PM0.91m
11:50AM1.54m
00:30AM0.88m
12:46PM1.47m
1:40AM0.87m
1:47PM1.39m
2:58AM0.90m
2:51PM1.31m
4:13AM0.97m
3:57PM1.23m
Low Tide
3:20AM0.30m
5:02PM0.31m
4:04AM0.33m
5:57PM0.32m
4:53AM0.37m
6:57PM0.34m
5:48AM0.43m
7:59PM0.36m
6:53AM0.50m
9:01PM0.36m
8:11AM0.56m
10:00PM0.36m
9:37AM0.59m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:09
6:09
6:09
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:07
Temp °C
19
20
19
19
20
20
19
20
20
18
20
20
19
20
21
19
20
20
19
21
21
18
20
19
19
20
20
19
20
20
18
19
20
19
19
21
20
20
20
18
19
20
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.7
SSW
10
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
10
0.7
SSW
10
0.7
SSW
9
0.6
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.3
SW
15
Energy kJ
580
509
489
395
318
253
81
379
425
390
295
290
215
180
86
92
70
211
427
704
695
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
11
1
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
10
0.8
SSW
10
0.8
SSW
10
0.6
SW
13
0.2
WSW
11
0.3
WSW
11
0.3
WSW
10
0.2
WSW
10
0.2
WSW
10
0.3
SW
17
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SSW
9
0.6
SSW
9
0.1
NW
12
0.7
SSW
6
Energy kJ
238
220
164
148
122
120
134
12
22
19
9
9
43
56
52
37
108
71
53
6
31
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
15
0.2
WNW
15
0.2
WNW
14
0.2
WNW
13
0.2
WNW
13
0.2
WNW
13
0.6
SSW
16
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WSW
9
0.2
WSW
9
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.4
SW
11
0.3
SW
11
0.1
NW
16
0.2
WNW
15
Energy kJ
54
21
21
17
17
17
166
15
14
14
14
15
8
8
57
112
145
30
18
10
21
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
6
Energy kJ
22
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
Distance (km)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Tarapaca
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
2
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
6
5
7
5
5
5
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the El Colegio Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for El Colegio provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Colegio can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Colegio 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 Colegio) 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 Colegio 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Tarapaca? If you are looking for accommodation near El Colegio, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Tarapaca, consider staying in Iquique which is 4 km (2 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Patillos which is 58 km (36 miles) away

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