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.
El Buey 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
- 4.5m - 12m
- Ideal size
- 6.6m - 8.8m
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Buey?
El Buey is a big-wave spot in Arica, Chile, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at El Buey?
El Buey 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 4.5m and keeps going up to about 12m, with the sweet spot around 6.6 to 8.8m. Period matters too: aim for 20s or longer, as anything under 16s 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 Buey?
A NE wind is dead offshore at El Buey, and anything from the NNE round to the ENE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. 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 Buey?
El Buey has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf El Buey?
The most reliable run of swell at El Buey comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Big wave spot. Tow-in territory.
How cold is the water at El Buey?
The water at El Buey 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 Buey good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Tow-in big wave. Jet ski support required. Extreme.
How do I get to El Buey?
The nearest airport on our list is ARI, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Near El Gringo. Tow-in only on big days.
What other surf spots are near El Buey?
The closest breaks we track are El Brazo (0.2 km), Arenillas Negras (0.9 km) and El Gringo (1.1 km), handy when El Buey isn't working. We track 9 spots around Arica in total. Fun fact: it's the second most northerly break we track in Chile.
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
Playa Chinchorro
🏜️ Desert beach break • Consistent waves • Northern Chile gateway
La Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection
El Laucho
🏖️ Arica mellow option • Beginner-friendly • Warm-up spot
Plan a trip around El Buey
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