Surf Forecasts:
El Gringo surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SW swell with 946 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM. 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 (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Gringo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here with the El Gringo outlook in feet and miles.
We’re easing into it, and the first couple of days, Friday and Saturday, August 14th and 15th, are nothing to write home about. The surf is small, around 4 to 4ft from the SW, but the wind is onshore and the energy is just moderate (in the 700-900 range). It’s surfable, but you’re not missing much.
Come Sunday morning, August 16th, we’ve got a real chance. The swell is holding at 4ft, but it’s a long-period SW groundswell at 11 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. That’s the kind of clean, lined-up reef surfing you dream about. The water is a touch warmer than normal for the season, around 65°, so it’s nice. The combined energy is moderate at 730. This is your best bet in the first week.
The middle of the week drops off a bit. The swell shrinks, and the wind gets a little messy with cross-onshore components. Nothing terrible, but nothing special.
Wednesday, August 19th, we see a bump to 6ft in the morning, with a 12-second period and clean onshore wind. The energy climbs to 972 (moderate), so it’s got some push. This is the biggest wave of the forecast, but it’s getting into the expert-only zone for sure.
The second week is a mixed bag. The swell drops to 3ft on the 20th, and the energy fades. The best long-range call is the afternoon of Monday, August 24th, with a 5ft SSW swell, 12-second period, and glassy wind. The energy is moderate at 563, and the conditions are flagged as very good. That’s the one to watch in the second week, but it’s a solid week and a half away.
So, top picks: Sunday, August 16th morning, and Monday, August 24th afternoon. The reef at El Gringo loves that long-period SW swell, and with glassy conditions, it’ll be a treat. Expect some company, but not a crowd.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 605 | 614 | 529 | 492 | 609 | 314 | 344 | 674 | 466 | 534 | 466 | 434 | 700 | 946 | 494 | 646 | 604 | 327 | 244 | 297 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 10:37PM0.93m | 10:51AM1.24m | 11:23PM0.97m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:45PM0.09m | 4:24AM0.14m | 5:22PM0.11m | 5:15AM0.20m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 605 | 614 | 529 | 492 | 609 | 314 | 344 | 674 | 466 | 534 | 466 | 434 | 700 | 946 | 494 | 646 | 604 | 327 | 244 | 101 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 111 | 62 | 59 | 39 | 26 | 304 | 314 | 160 | 141 | 95 | 57 | 32 | 15 | 81 | 62 | 206 | 301 | 215 | 242 | 297 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | SW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 4 | — | — | SW 16 | — | SSW 11 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 45 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 167 | — | 42 | 97 | 161 | 77 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SW 3 | — | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 68 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 143 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 143 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 52 | 194 | 0 | 112 | 79 | 112 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 143 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Atacama | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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