Surf Forecasts:
Hornitos surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SW swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hornitos this week:
The surf forecast for Hornitos over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hornitos in the next 16 days are 0.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM. 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+) | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hornitos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a 16-day look at the surf for the region, and I’ll be honest with you – it’s a slow grind for the first week and a half. The good news is there’s a solid pulse of energy coming in the very last week of August that could finally get things moving.
Hornitos is the only spot on the radar, and it’s a consistent, intermediate-level break that’s fairly exposed to the swell. It’s a spot that can handle a bit of a swell, but it’s going to be a patience game.
We kick off on Thursday, the 20th of August, with tiny 3 ft swell from the southwest. The energy is weak (371), and the wind is a light cross-on breeze. It’s not great, and the forecasts are calling it marginal. Friday and Saturday the 21st and 22nd are even worse – the swell drops to 2 ft, poor conditions, and the energy is just pathetic (as low as 113). Sunday the 23rd is barely a ripple at 1 ft and 85 weak energy. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are more of the same – tiny, weak, with cross-onshore breezes. Honestly, the first week is a write-off. There’s a gap of nearly 8 days where there’s nothing worth paddling out for.
Then, on Wednesday the 26th of August, things get interesting. The morning is still poor, but by the afternoon, the wind goes glassy. The swell is still only 2 ft, but the energy jumps to a moderate 153. It’s surfable but ordinary. Thursday the 27th sees the swell build to 3 ft, and the energy jumps to 415 (moderate) by the afternoon, but the wind is onshore or cross-on. Still not clean.
But hold onto your board. The standout is the period from Friday the 28th of August through to Sunday the 31st of August. The swell really kicks in. On Friday morning, we’re looking at 6 ft from the west-southwest with a long period of 17 seconds. That’s groundswell, and the energy is very strong (2093). The wind is a light cross-on breeze. By the afternoon, the swell hits 8 ft. That’s big, expert-level territory. The period is 16 seconds, and the energy is a massive 2583. This is the highlight of the whole forecast. The swell direction is right on the optimum for this spot (southwest). Saturday the 29th holds at 6 ft to 6 ft, still powerful (1370-1408 energy), and Sunday the 30th is solid at 6 ft to 6 ft. Even Monday the 31st has decent 5 ft to 6 ft swell. The wind is light cross-on or onshore, which is a bit of a bummer, but with that much energy and the glassy moments we saw, it’s the best we’ve got.
After that, from the 1st of September, the swell is still there (4 ft to 5 ft) but the period drops to 8-10 seconds, the energy is moderate, and the winds are all cross-on. Conditions are poor. The energy stays in the 400-650 range, which is moderate, but it’s not the same quality as that late August run.
So, for the best surfing, you want to be at Hornitos from Friday the 28th of August through Sunday the 31st of August. The big southwest groundswell is the real deal. It’s a long period swell, so it’s going to be a bit more lined up and powerful, but the cross-on wind might mess with the face. At 8 ft, that’s no joke – only for the experienced crew. The 6 ft to 6 ft days are more manageable but still big. It’s a consistent spot, so there will be waves, but with that kind of power, expect a crowd.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
191 | 248 | 248 | 180 | 112 | 114 | 99 | 67 | 71 | 98 | 40 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 20 | 82 | 67 | 63 | 56 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:56AM0.91m | 3:04PM0.60m | 4:06AM0.90m | 4:35PM0.55m | 5:19AM0.91m | 6:03PM0.55m | 6:21AM0.96m | 7:03PM0.58m | 7:10AM1.01m | 7:45PM0.62m | 7:50AM1.07m | 8:20PM0.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:52AM0.37m | 8:51PM0.31m | 11:28AM0.35m | 10:03PM0.34m | 12:43PM0.31m | 11:19PM0.33m | 1:33PM0.25m | 00:20AM0.30m | 2:11PM0.20m | 1:07AM0.25m | 2:42PM0.15m | 1:48AM0.20m | |||||||
— | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
6:25 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 18 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
140 | 123 | 107 | 90 | 112 | 114 | 99 | 67 | 71 | 98 | 37 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 20 | 82 | 67 | 58 | 55 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
161 | 248 | 248 | 180 | 109 | 99 | 66 | 31 | 30 | 23 | 40 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 8 | 63 | 63 | 56 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 10 | W 21 | SW 20 | W 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 17 | W 10 | W 10 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 8 | SW 16 | SW 4 | SW 5 |
— | — | — | 25 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 24 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | SW 5 | — | — |
191 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 9 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 172 | 305 | 127 | 0 | 127 | 61 | 0 | 127 | 78 | 0 | 61 | 305 | 51 | 172 | 305 | 305 | 127 | 78 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Antofagasta | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Hornitos Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Hornitos provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hornitos can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hornitos 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 (Hornitos) 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 Hornitos 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.
Hornitos is 22 km (14 miles) from the city of Mejillones. If you plan a holiday in Antofagasta, look for hotels and other accommodation in Mejillones. Mejillones has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











