Surf Forecasts:
La Puntilla surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,060 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for La Puntilla this week:
The surf forecast for La Puntilla over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at La Puntilla in the next 16 days are 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Puntilla over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surf is on the horizon, but this one’s a slow burner. Let’s get into it.
Right now, the ocean is pretty lackluster, and it’s going to stay that way for a few days. We’ve got some swell showing up, but it’s struggling against a cross-onshore wind, and the energy is just weak. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are looking pretty forgettable, with small, rippled waves. The tide is questionable too, so it’s not really worth paddling out for anything that’s barely breaking. The good news is the winds are light, so when the swell gets its act together, the surface is going to be clean.
The first real chance of something decent comes Wednesday afternoon at La Puntilla. The wind switches to a light cross-offshore, which will clean up those 5ft waves from the SW nicely. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve had so far. After that, Thursday and Friday drop off again, getting smaller and more disorganized. It’s a bit of a buzzkill.
We’re looking at a few days of this small, weak stuff. Saturday and Sunday are there, but they're more about getting wet than getting barreled. There’s one window early Sunday morning where the wind goes glassy, and the swell is just at 3ft, which could be a clean session on the longboard if you’re desperate.
Then, the ocean just kind of checks out. From Monday, August 24th through to around the 27th, we're in a proper lull. It’s small, weak, and the energy is bottoming out. You’d be better off doing maintenance on your boards and watching the cams.
Now, let me tell you about the light at the end of the tunnel. Hold on tight, because something is brewing for the end of the month. Around Thursday the 28th, we start to see a pulse of longer-period groundswell, and it’s building. It’s not a huge jump at first, but the energy starts climbing and you can feel the ocean waking up.
The real deal, the one to circle on your calendar, arrives Saturday, August 29th and into Sunday, August 30th. This is the standout of the entire period. The swell builds to 6ft to 7ft from the SW, with a solid 14-15 second period. The combined energy is pumping, and it’s a proper shot of life for the point.
La Puntilla is a point break, which is good, because this long-period swell might get a bit walled at a beach break. Here, it’s got a chance to link up and run. The wind on Saturday morning is a light cross-shore, which is manageable. The caveat is that by Saturday afternoon and Sunday, the swell is getting up there—7ft is pushing into expert territory for the average surfer. Beginners should be watching from the sand. The direction is a perfect match for the break’s optimum SW swell. This is the one, lads.
After that, it eases off gradually into early September, but still holding 5ft to 6ft with a shorter period. It’s a step down from the peak, but it’s still rideable and a hundred times better than what we’ve got at the start of the window. So, keep your head up, get through this flat spell, and the end of August is going to pay off. Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
466 | 932 | 1044 | 878 | 706 | 723 | 450 | 264 | 345 | 350 | 215 | 165 | 173 | 190 | 199 | 154 | 172 | 163 | 129 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:56PM0.87m | 1:51AM0.98m | 1:42PM0.76m | 2:52AM0.97m | 2:42PM0.67m | 3:59AM0.98m | 4:01PM0.62m | 5:07AM1.00m | 5:25PM0.61m | 6:07AM1.04m | 6:29PM0.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:06AM0.35m | 7:10PM0.24m | 8:13AM0.41m | 7:50PM0.30m | 9:35AM0.45m | 8:39PM0.34m | 11:07AM0.45m | 9:41PM0.37m | 12:23PM0.42m | 10:49PM0.36m | 1:15PM0.37m | 11:51PM0.34m | |||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
6:30 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 |
466 | 932 | 1044 | 878 | 706 | 723 | 450 | 264 | 228 | 202 | 169 | 165 | 173 | 190 | 199 | 154 | 172 | 163 | 129 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 |
58 | — | 15 | 81 | 167 | 206 | 305 | 253 | 345 | 350 | 215 | 140 | 93 | 89 | 61 | 59 | 69 | 68 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 22 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
1 | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | 100 | 41 | 9 | 16 | 4 | 37 | 59 | 53 | 28 | 44 | 42 | 41 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 52 | 20 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 20 | 0 | 52 | 20 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Atacama | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the La Puntilla Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for La Puntilla provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at La Puntilla can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our La Puntilla 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 (La Puntilla) 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 La Puntilla 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.
La Puntilla is 4 km (2 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.











