Surf Forecasts:
El Gringo surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s 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★+): Friday 11 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s 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 (Sep 11) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 (Fri 11th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| 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 folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it for El Gringo. We've got a stretch ahead that's all about picking the right sessions, with some absolute gems hiding in the mix if you're patient.
The pattern starts off a bit mixed but builds into some serious quality. Thursday the 10th is a write-off with onshore wind messing things up, despite a decent 4ft SW groundswell. The water's sitting at a warm 66°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – a nice bonus.
Things turn the corner on Friday morning, September 11th. The wind drops to glassy, a light 3 mph from the SSW, and we've got a clean 4ft SW swell rolling in. It's not huge, but it'll be lining up nicely. The combined swell energy is moderate at 477, but with that offshore wind, this is a proper session for anyone who can handle a reef break.
Sunday the 13th has a promising morning too. Glassy again, calm winds, and a bump up to 5ft of SW swell. The period drops to 11 seconds, so it's a bit more local windswell mixed in, but the clean conditions will make it fun. The energy is moderate at 483.
Now, the real standout – and I mean the one you circle on your calendar – is Monday morning, September 14th. This is the pick of the first week. We've got glassy conditions with a 3 mph SSW breeze, and the swell is a long-period 3ft from the SW with a period of 18 seconds. That's groundswell energy (combined energy 704), which means longer, better-shaped waves with more push for their size. This will be perfect for El Gringo's reef setup. Get out there early.
Tuesday morning, September 15th is another cracker. Calm, glassy, and a solid 4ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period. The combined energy jumps to 851 – moderate to strong – and it's going to be pumping. These long-period swells favour points and reefs like this one, so expect clean, powerful lines.
The second week stays active but gets a bit smaller and less consistent. Wednesday the 16th morning is clean with 4ft SW, and Sunday the 20th offers a small 2ft glassy session. A late-week standout appears on Tuesday morning, September 22nd with a 4ft SSW swell and calm winds – that's worth a look. Then on Friday morning, September 25th, the period jumps back up to 20 seconds with a 2ft SW groundswell. The combined energy is 424, and with glassy conditions, that'll be a sneaky good, long-period wave for the reef. Keep in mind, long-period swells can sometimes close out beach breaks, but here at the reef, it's a blessing.
For the crowds, El Gringo can get busy sometimes, so for those Monday and Tuesday morning standouts, get there early to beat the pack.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 598 | 590 | 410 | 335 | 335 | 273 | 207 | 309 | 431 | 377 | 236 | 375 | 437 | 498 | 683 | 606 | 581 | 398 | 330 | 330 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:49PM0.96m | 10:05AM1.24m | 10:31PM1.03m | 10:45AM1.18m | 11:12PM1.07m | 11:24AM1.09m | 11:52PM1.10m | 12:02PM0.98m | 00:32AM1.10m | 12:40PM0.87m | 1:14AM1.08m | 1:19PM0.77m | 2:01AM1.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:55PM0.11m | 3:40AM0.13m | 4:31PM0.10m | 4:29AM0.14m | 5:04PM0.11m | 5:16AM0.16m | 5:36PM0.14m | 6:04AM0.21m | 6:07PM0.18m | 6:53AM0.27m | 6:38PM0.24m | 7:45AM0.34m | 7:10PM0.30m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 598 | 590 | 410 | 335 | 335 | 99 | 207 | 309 | 431 | 377 | 213 | 286 | 266 | 203 | 683 | 606 | 581 | 398 | 330 | 330 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | W 11 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SSW 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 44 | 64 | 2 | 91 | 273 | 60 | 84 | 50 | 49 | 80 | 375 | 437 | 498 | 168 | 154 | 121 | 78 | 75 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 12 | W 12 | S 23 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | W 11 | SW 21 | SW 19 | S 9 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 23 | SW 23 | SW 22 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 3 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 60 | 58 | 2 | 72 | 236 | 43 | 42 | 104 | — | — | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 40 | — | — | 99 | — | — | 105 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 143 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 0 |
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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