El Laucho
El Laucho is a beginner-friendly beach and reef break south of Arica center, offering mellow waves as an alternative to the heavy slabs nearby. A good warm-up spot before tackling more challenging breaks.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m
- 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
3/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: South of Arica center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at El Laucho?
El Laucho works best on a mid to high tide, ideally between 0.4m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at El Laucho?
Offshore wind at El Laucho blows from the NE (45°). Anything in the 20° to 70° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at El Laucho?
El Laucho wants SW swell (200° to 250°) between 0.9m and 1.8m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf El Laucho?
The main season at El Laucho is Mar-Oct. A secondary window runs Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb. Year-round. Beginner-friendly.
How do I get to El Laucho?
Fly into ARI, then allow about 10 minutes by road. South of Arica center.
What kind of wave is El Laucho?
El Laucho is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 3/10.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round. Beginner-friendly.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection
El Gringo
🇨🇱 Chilean Pipeline • Helmet required • Slab of death
Arenillas Negras
🖤 Black sand reef • Quality walls • Less intense
La Brava
Arica beach barrel | Heavy right | Pin needs local verification
Las Machas
🐚 Razor clam beach • Beginner waves • Consistent
El Brazo
💪 The Arm • Reef/sand hybrid • Versatile waves