El Brazo
El Brazo ("The Arm") is a reef and sand hybrid break in the Arica surf zone, offering both lefts and rights depending on sandbar configuration. A versatile option with varied conditions.
El Brazo surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 70°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Near El Gringo zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Brazo?
El Brazo is a reef break in Arica, Chile, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at El Brazo?
El Brazo picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at El Brazo?
A NE wind is dead offshore at El Brazo, and anything from the NNE round to the ENE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at El Brazo?
El Brazo is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf El Brazo?
The most reliable run of swell at El Brazo comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Reef/sand hybrid.
How cold is the water at El Brazo?
The water at El Brazo averages around 18°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is El Brazo good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Mixed bottom. Varied conditions.
How do I get to El Brazo?
The nearest airport on our list is ARI, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Near El Gringo zone.
What other surf spots are near El Brazo?
The closest breaks we track are El Buey (0.2 km), Arenillas Negras (0.7 km) and El Gringo (0.9 km), handy when El Brazo isn't working. We track 9 spots around Arica in total. Fun fact: it's the third most northerly break we track in Chile.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Reef/sand hybrid.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Buey
🐂 The Bull • Tow-in giant • 40ft+ faces
Arenillas Negras
🖤 Black sand reef • Quality walls • Less intense
El Gringo
🇨🇱 Chilean Pipeline • Helmet required • Slab of death
La Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection
Playa Chinchorro
🏜️ Desert beach break • Consistent waves • Northern Chile gateway
El Laucho
🏖️ Arica mellow option • Beginner-friendly • Warm-up spot