Surf spots in Arica
3 spots within 3 km of Arica: 1 beach break, 2 reef breaks. 1 suit beginners.
Live forecasts for every spot →
Best spots today in Arica
- Intermediate: Las Machas (Epic, 1.1–1.7 m, onshore around 08:00), El Gringo (Fair, 1.2–1.8 m, onshore around 08:00), El Buey (Fair, 1.5–2.3 m, onshore around 10:00)
- Beginners: Las Machas (Fair, 1.1–1.7 m, onshore around 08:00)
- Advanced: El Buey (Epic, 1.5–2.3 m, onshore around 10:00), El Gringo (Epic, 1.2–1.8 m, onshore around 08:00)
Forecast updated 21 Oct, 15:51 UTC.
The spots
- El Gringo · reef break, advanced, best on S/SW swell with E/SE wind, high tide. A shallow reef just off Arica's seafront, known for a steep, hollow left and a longer, less hollow right. Considered one of Chile's heaviest waves.
- El Buey · reef break, advanced, best on SW/SSW/WSW swell with E/ESE/NE wind, all tides. Big-wave reef in deep water about 700 m off Playa El Laucho, under 1 km south of El Gringo, that only starts breaking around 2.5 m. South swells light up the hollow…
- Las Machas · beach break, beginner, best on SW/W/NW swell with E/ENE/NE wind, mid to high tide. Long sand beach that runs north from Playa Chinchorro toward the Lluta river mouth, with sandbar peaks both ways on most swells; a west to northwest swell and mid to…
When to surf in Arica
Good days per month for intermediate surfers; tap a month for where else to surf then.
Best months for intermediate surfers: May to August. The water goes from about 18 °C in July (3/2 mm fullsuit) to 22 °C in February (Springsuit 2 mm or vest). 1 of the 3 spots suit beginners, such as Las Machas.
| Month | Rideable days | Good days | Beginner days | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 21 °C |
| Feb | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 °C |
| Mar | 8 | 0 | 0 | 21 °C |
| Apr | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 °C |
| May | 21 | 0 | 0 | 19 °C |
| Jun | 20 | 0 | 0 | 18 °C |
| Jul | 23 | 0 | 0 | 18 °C |
| Aug | 21 | 0 | 0 | 18 °C |
| Sep | 11 | 0 | 0 | 18 °C |
| Oct | 11 | 0 | 0 | 18 °C |
| Nov | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 °C |
| Dec | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 °C |
Days per month at the best third of the 3 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.
Questions
What are the best surf spots in Arica?
The best-known are El Gringo, Las Machas, El Buey. In all, 3 spots lie within 3 km: 1 beach break, 2 reef breaks.
Where can beginners surf in Arica?
Las Machas: sandy, more forgiving spots. Surf them on small days, ideally with a lesson or near the lifeguards.
When is the best time to surf in Arica?
For intermediate surfers May to August.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Arica?
The sea goes from about 18 °C in July (3/2 mm fullsuit) to 22 °C in February (Springsuit 2 mm or vest).