El Gringo surf break

El Gringo surfForecast / Atacama / Chile

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Thursday 21 May 2026 -04
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
El Gringo surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's El Gringo sea temperature is
17.9° C
(Which is 1.8°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 Thursday (May 21) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m 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 Gringo in the next 16 days are 1.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 24) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (-04) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 21st May)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 21st May)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sun 24th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Gringo over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
2
0
1
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
1
1
2
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
11
0.9
SSW
11
0.9
SSW
11
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
12
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
569
543
373
229
164
161
194
214
581
788
868
810
647
503
473
380
361
272
557
437
418
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
SW
5
SSW
5
SW
10
SW
5
S
10
SW
10
SW
0
SSE
10
SW
10
SW
5
SSW
5
SW
10
SW
0
SE
10
WSW
5
WSW
5
SSW
10
SW
5
SSW
5
SW
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
12:41PM1.33m
1:31AM0.71m
1:42PM1.25m
2:49AM0.74m
2:46PM1.16m
4:04AM0.80m
3:51PM1.07m
5:10AM0.89m
4:53PM1.00m
6:06AM0.99m
5:51PM0.93m
6:52AM1.08m
6:43PM0.87m
Low Tide
7:51PM0.20m
6:44AM0.32m
8:53PM0.21m
8:00AM0.39m
9:52PM0.22m
9:26AM0.43m
10:45PM0.21m
10:50AM0.43m
11:31PM0.21m
12:05PM0.41m
00:12AM0.20m
1:09PM0.37m
00:48AM0.21m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:13
6:13
6:12
6:12
6:12
6:12
6:12
Temp °C
18
19
17
18
19
17
18
19
17
18
19
17
19
20
17
19
20
18
20
20
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
17
18
18
18
19
20
18
19
20
20
20
21
19
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
11
0.9
SSW
11
0.9
SSW
11
0.7
SSW
10
0.7
SSW
10
1.1
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1
SW
12
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
Energy kJ
569
543
373
229
164
161
104
104
581
788
868
810
647
503
473
380
361
272
557
437
418
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
10
0.2
WSW
10
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
9
0.1
NW
15
0.6
SSW
6
0.7
SSW
6
0.6
SSW
6
0.6
SSW
6
0.5
SSW
6
0.5
SSW
6
0.6
SW
15
0.4
SSW
6
0.4
SSW
6
0.4
SW
8
Energy kJ
9
9
68
65
146
112
194
214
72
65
8
25
34
30
31
23
23
143
14
17
23
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSW
18
0.1
SW
18
0.2
WSW
9
0.3
SW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.3
SW
10
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
11
0.1
SW
8
0.1
W
14
0.1
SW
7
0.1
W
13
0.1
W
13
0.3
SW
17
0.5
SSW
7
0.1
S
22
0.4
SW
8
0.3
SSW
7
Energy kJ
31
13
8
27
37
51
103
118
14
4
2
3
4
2
3
3
46
26
10
23
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
9
Energy kJ
58
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
3
4
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
Distance (km)
0
143
0
143
143
0
143
143
0
147
143
0
143
143
0
143
18
0
143
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Atacama
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile
Rating
(10 max)
5
2
2
2
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
5
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
6
8
6
8
6
5
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
5
6
5
5
5
  • 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 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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