El Colegio surf break

El Colegio surfForecast / Tarapaca / Chile

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Thursday 21 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
17.4° C
(Which is 1.9°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 Thursday (May 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 28) at 5PM. 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 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (-04) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 21st May)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 24th May)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 28th May)8ft (2.4m) 14s

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 Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Thu
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
2
0
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
0
2
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)
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.2
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
0.6
SW
15
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
2
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
290
215
187
65
112
145
211
310
704
640
621
458
437
357
319
314
137
392
330
355
1684
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
15
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
10
S
15
SSW
15
SSW
5
SSW
10
SW
5
SSW
0
NNW
10
SW
0
WSW
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
SW
10
SSW
15
SW
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
1:40AM0.87m
1:47PM1.39m
2:58AM0.90m
2:51PM1.31m
4:13AM0.97m
3:57PM1.23m
5:18AM1.06m
5:00PM1.16m
6:13AM1.15m
5:58PM1.10m
6:59AM1.24m
6:51PM1.04m
7:40AM1.31m
Low Tide
7:59PM0.36m
6:53AM0.50m
9:01PM0.36m
8:11AM0.56m
10:00PM0.36m
9:37AM0.59m
10:53PM0.36m
11:01AM0.59m
11:40PM0.35m
12:14PM0.56m
00:21AM0.35m
1:15PM0.51m
00:58AM0.35m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
Temp °C
19
17
19
20
17
19
19
18
19
20
18
20
20
19
20
19
18
19
20
19
20
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
18
17
19
20
19
20
19
19
19
20
19
19
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.5
SSW
11
0.7
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
10
0.6
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.2
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
2
SW
15
Energy kJ
290
215
187
65
97
60
211
310
704
640
621
458
437
357
319
314
134
392
330
355
1684
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
10
0.3
SW
17
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
12
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SSW
10
0.5
SSW
9
0.1
NW
12
0.7
SSW
5
0.6
SSW
6
0.7
SW
6
0.6
SSW
6
0.6
SSW
6
0.4
SSW
7
0.4
SSW
7
0.7
SW
9
0.6
SW
8
0.6
SW
8
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
7
Energy kJ
18
43
60
57
37
108
31
47
6
20
22
42
26
26
17
20
78
53
53
208
52
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WNW
12
0.2
WSW
9
0.2
WSW
9
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
11
0.1
NW
16
0.2
WNW
15
0.2
WNW
15
0.1
NW
15
0.1
NW
14
0.1
NW
13
0.2
WNW
13
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.1
NW
12
0.1
NW
12
0.2
WNW
15
0.2
WNW
15
Energy kJ
15
8
8
37
112
145
61
30
10
21
21
8
8
7
17
67
137
6
6
21
21
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
4
0.4
SSW
5
0.7
SSW
8
Energy kJ
6
10
61
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
Distance (km)
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Tarapaca
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
4
4
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
5
6
8
5
5
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
9
8
9
  • 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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