Surf Forecasts:
El Gringo surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SW swell with 728 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3AM. 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+) | 12AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Gringo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s cooking at El Gringo.
It’s a reef break that loves swell from the SW, and we’ve got some action coming through. The water temp is sitting at 67°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – more than 4°F above average, so the water’s feeling pretty nice.
The first real standout is Monday morning, September 16th. The swell is 3ft from the SW with a very long 18-second period. Combined wave energy is 723 (moderate), and the wind is dead calm – glassy. That’s going to be clean, perfect lines down the reef. This is an advanced spot, and that long period will make it grind.
Tuesday morning, September 17th, is also looking great. Swell at 4ft from the SW, period of 16 seconds, energy of 882. Glassy again. Same deal – clean, solid reef waves.
Later in the month, the big one is Saturday morning, September 28th. Swell jumps to 5ft from the WSW, period at 13 seconds, and the energy hits 1364 (strong). Wind is glassy. That’s expert territory – too big for beginners, and the reef will be firing. It’s a way off, but worth watching.
In between, mornings are the go. Afternoons tend to get a light onshore breeze that messes with the surface. From around September 21st to the 24th, it’s flat and weak – energy drops into the 140s and 170s, with small, short-period swell. Not worth the paddle.
The last few days, September 25th and 26th mornings, have some smaller, cleaner windows, but the real juice is on the 16th and the 28th. Mark those mornings.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 416 | 250 | 375 | 437 | 498 | 683 | 606 | 513 | 398 | 335 | 330 | 231 | 175 | 141 | 199 | 187 | 202 | 189 | 179 | 142 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 11:52PM1.10m | 12:02PM0.98m | 00:32AM1.10m | 12:40PM0.87m | 1:14AM1.08m | 1:19PM0.77m | 2:01AM1.04m | 2:05PM0.68m | 2:56AM1.00m | 3:08PM0.62m | 4:04AM0.98m | 4:40PM0.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:36PM0.14m | 6:04AM0.21m | 6:07PM0.18m | 6:53AM0.27m | 6:38PM0.24m | 7:45AM0.34m | 7:10PM0.30m | 8:47AM0.40m | 7:46PM0.35m | 10:05AM0.44m | 8:35PM0.40m | 11:34AM0.44m | 9:47PM0.44m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 416 | 250 | 327 | 261 | 203 | 683 | 606 | 513 | 398 | 335 | 330 | 231 | 175 | 141 | 199 | 187 | 202 | 189 | 179 | 142 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 22 | SW 21 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 49 | 108 | 375 | 437 | 498 | 199 | 151 | 116 | 76 | 75 | 73 | 49 | 50 | 35 | 45 | 71 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 19 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 23 | SW 23 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 15 | W 14 | W 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 72 | 236 | 21 | 42 | 70 | — | — | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 55 | 4 | 3 | 100 | 96 | 84 | 80 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 65 | 66 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 194 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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