Surf Forecasts:
El Gringo surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SW swell with 821 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Gringo this week:
The surf forecast for El Gringo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Gringo in the next 16 days are 1.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Gringo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down for El Gringo. I’m Rusty, and this reef break is for the advanced crew, exposed to SW swell, and it’s been fairly consistent. Water temp is about 64°F, which is normal for this time of year – no surprises.
The first few days are a slow start. Friday the 17th afternoon is marginal – small, not worth it. But Saturday the 18th morning, it wakes up. Glassy conditions, 4.3ft SW swell at 11 seconds, moderate energy (639). That’s a clean session, and crowds are possible here. Afternoon stays glassy with 3.0ft SSW at 14 seconds (679). Both are solid.
Sunday the 19th gets cross-on wind – marginal. Monday the 20th morning is still iffy, but the afternoon turns glassy with 3.6ft WSW at 11 seconds (477). Tuesday the 21st follows the same pattern: marginal morning, glassy afternoon with 3.6ft WSW at 12 seconds (549). Workable.
The first real standout is Thursday the 23rd morning. Glassy, 5.9ft SW at 12 seconds, moderate energy (1035). That’s a solid wall – clean and powerful. Too
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | 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 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 389 | 422 | 330 | 277 | 610 | 578 | 464 | 329 | 335 | 451 | 341 | 336 | 243 | 222 | 214 | 225 | 638 | 778 | 558 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:51PM0.84m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:26AM0.20m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 6:21 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | 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 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 389 | 422 | 328 | 234 | 610 | 578 | 464 | 329 | 335 | 451 | 341 | 336 | 243 | 222 | 214 | 225 | 638 | 778 | 558 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | 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 6 | SSW 6 | SW 22 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 173 | 196 | 330 | 277 | 314 | 131 | 269 | 210 | 226 | 183 | 176 | 180 | 170 | 135 | 103 | 32 | 23 | 229 | 224 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | S 15 | S 15 | S 9 | W 16 | W 22 | W 21 | W 21 | W 20 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 26 | SSW 10 | SW 24 | W 18 | W 18 |
| kJ | 5 | 21 | 21 | 69 | 110 | 109 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 33 | 1 | 9 | 105 | 56 | 197 | 25 | 55 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 143 | 0 | 52 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 143 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Atacama | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Gringo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Gringo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Gringo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Gringo 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 Gringo) 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 Gringo 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 Gringo 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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