El Buey
El Buey ("The Bull") is a tow-in big wave reef near El Gringo that comes alive when massive SW swells hit Arica. The wave can produce 40-foot faces, making it one of South America's premier big wave venues.
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Location & Conditions
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Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 250°
- Size range
- 4.5m - 12m
- Ideal size
- 8.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 20s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 70°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Near El Gringo. Tow-in only on big days.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
Big wave spot. Tow-in territory.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Brazo
💪 The Arm • Reef/sand hybrid • Versatile waves
Arenillas Negras
🖤 Black sand reef • Quality walls • Less intense
El Gringo
🇨🇱 Chilean Pipeline • Helmet required • Slab of death
La Brava
🌊 Wild one • Arica reef • Less intense option
El Laucho
🏖️ Arica mellow option • Beginner-friendly • Warm-up spot
Playa Chinchorro
🏜️ Desert beach break • Consistent waves • Northern Chile gateway