Surf Forecasts:
Las Urracas surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, WSW swell with 799 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Las Urracas this week:
The surf forecast for Las Urracas over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Las Urracas in the next 16 days are 1.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Las Urracas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet, because sometimes you just need to feel the numbers the old way.
Let’s talk about Las Urracas. It’s a reef break that’s very consistent and loves a good WSW swell. Water temp is nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year.
The start is a bit slow. Tuesday the 18th kicks off with a solid 5ft swell out of the WSW with a long 13-second period, but the cross-shore wind and questionable tide make it messy. The combined energy is strong at 1098, but not clean. The afternoon cleans right up with a cross-offshore breeze and 5ft swell – that’s a clean window.
Wednesday the 19th is a write-off with onshore wind and choppy 4ft. Thursday the 20th afternoon is the next real standout: glassy conditions, 3ft of swell, but with a long 14-second period. Energy is moderate at 538, but glassy wind on a reef is gold.
Then it goes quiet. From Friday the 21st through to Wednesday the 27th, the swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the energy readings drop into the low hundreds. Often glassy, but not enough push. The morning of Thursday the 27th has a very long 20-second period but only 2ft – too much time between sets.
The absolute highlight is the weekend of the 30th of August. Sunday the 30th is the pick. Morning brings a solid 7ft WSW swell with a 13-second period, and glassy wind. The energy reading is a massive 1405. The comment says excellent for experienced surfers, and at 7ft on a reef, that’s the truth. Sunday afternoon is dead calm, 6ft swell, and still 1258 energy. This is the best of the whole outlook.
Monday the 31st has 6ft and 6ft options but the wind turns onshore or cross-on, so not as clean.
Into September it fades. The 1st has 5ft and 5ft but it’s cross-on and choppy. The 2nd has a 6ft morning but onshore wind.
The standout: Sunday the 30th of August. Glassy conditions, a solid 7ft groundswell from the WSW with a powerful 13-second period. This is for the experienced crew, a long-period swell that will line up perfectly on the reef.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Fri 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 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
305 | 799 | 760 | 613 | 450 | 314 | 346 | 205 | 346 | 238 | 140 | 132 | 148 | 145 | 145 | 73 | 142 | 68 | 71 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 1:04AM1.13m | 1:03PM1.02m | 1:58AM1.12m | 1:53PM0.91m | 3:00AM1.11m | 2:59PM0.82m | 4:09AM1.12m | 4:24PM0.77m | 5:17AM1.15m | 5:45PM0.77m | 6:15AM1.20m | 6:45PM0.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:14AM0.50m | 7:21PM0.40m | 8:24AM0.56m | 8:04PM0.46m | 9:49AM0.59m | 8:57PM0.50m | 11:19AM0.57m | 10:02PM0.52m | 12:30PM0.53m | 11:09PM0.52m | 1:20PM0.48m | 00:08AM0.49m | |||||||
— | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
6:28 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 |
305 | 799 | 760 | 613 | 450 | 167 | 341 | 191 | 187 | 151 | 125 | 132 | 148 | 145 | 145 | 68 | 142 | 68 | 71 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 |
45 | 299 | 15 | 80 | 34 | 218 | 346 | 205 | 346 | 238 | 140 | 132 | 72 | 65 | 60 | 73 | 23 | 57 | 54 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 12 | — | SW 16 | W 16 | — | SW 10 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | SSW 10 | WSW 16 |
— | — | — | — | 165 | 118 | — | 161 | 5 | — | 25 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 51 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 314 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Tarapaca | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Chile | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Las Urracas Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Las Urracas provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Las Urracas can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Las Urracas 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 (Las Urracas) 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 Las Urracas 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Tarapaca? If you are looking for accommodation near Las Urracas, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Tarapaca, consider staying in Iquique which is 4 km (2 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Patillos which is 58 km (36 miles) away











