Surf Forecasts:
Hornitos surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SW swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (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 with a look at what’s coming our way for Hornitos. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there's some promise later on if you're patient.
We're kicking off with a real quiet spell. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty unusual and makes for a nice comfortable paddle. For the first week, from Thursday the 20th right through to Wednesday the 27th of August, we're looking at pretty poor surf. The swell energy is weak, reading only between 44 and 490 (moderate energy at best), and heights are tiny, mostly under 3 ft. The wind is mostly light cross-onshore, and the conditions are just not cooperating. There's a small window on the morning of Sunday the 23rd with glassy conditions on a tiny 2 ft swell, but it's not worth getting wet for. Basically, it’s a blank run until the end of the month. That’s a solid 8 days of barely a ripple.
Now, the real standout – and the only one worth circling on your calendar – arrives on Friday the 28th of August. We get a proper pulse of energy. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the WSW, which is right in the sweet spot for Hornitos. The swell period is a very long 16 seconds, so this is pure groundswell with plenty of push. The combined energy rockets to 2511 (very strong) – you’ll feel that in the water. Wind is a light 6 mph from the west, straight offshore, so those waves are going to be peeling clean and smooth. Keep in mind, at 7 ft, this is expert territory. The sets will be powerful with long gaps between them, making it easier to get out the back, but it’s not for the faint of heart. This is the day to be there.
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are still solid, with 6 ft to 7 ft swell from the WSW and SW, but the wind turns light cross-onshore, so it won't be as perfect as Friday. The energy is still strong, reading 1332 and 1386 respectively. Good fun, but Friday is the pick.
We then see the swell slowly drop through the first week of September, with heights falling from 7 ft down to around 3 ft by the 4th. The wind stays mostly light and variable, often offshore. A notable mention is the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of September – the wind goes glassy on a 4 ft SW swell with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is moderate at 415, and those glassy conditions will make for a really fun, clean session for intermediates. After that, a new long-period pulse from the WSW on Thursday the 3rd (16 seconds, 3 ft) has potential, but the energy is moderate and the wind is light cross-onshore, so it's a gamble.
In short: wait it out for a week. The big moment is Friday the 28th of August. That’s your standout. After that, keep an eye on the 2nd of September for some glassy, user-friendly waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | WSW 13 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
248 | 248 | 180 | 114 | 117 | 101 | 84 | 71 | 98 | 40 | 39 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 16 | 51 | 64 | 55 | 79 | 158 | 101 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 8:26AM1.12m | 8:53PM0.73m | ||||||||
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 | 3:10PM0.12m | 2:25AM0.16m | |||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 4 | SW 5 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
123 | 123 | 90 | 114 | 117 | 101 | 84 | 71 | 98 | 40 | 39 | 30 | 30 | 18 | 16 | 51 | 9 | 7 | 79 | 158 | 101 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SSW 11 | SW 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | SW 5 | SW 10 | SW 5 |
248 | 248 | 180 | 108 | 99 | 66 | 59 | 30 | 23 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 2 | 32 | 64 | 40 | 10 | 44 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 10 | W 21 | SW 20 | W 12 | SW 18 | WSW 11 | SW 17 | W 10 | W 10 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 3 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 10 |
— | — | 25 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 31 | 55 | 24 | 11 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 127 | 0 | 127 | 84 | 0 | 78 | 78 | 0 | 61 | 78 | 4 | 480 | 366 | 480 | 305 | 305 | 0 | 127 | 51 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Antofagasta | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











