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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Location & Conditions
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Spot Details
Swell 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.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round. Beginner-friendly.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Las Machas
🐚 Razor clam beach • Beginner waves • Consistent
El Gringo
🇨🇱 Chilean Pipeline • Helmet required • Slab of death
La Brava
🌊 Wild one • Arica reef • Less intense option
Arenillas Negras
🖤 Black sand reef • Quality walls • Less intense
La Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection
El Brazo
💪 The Arm • Reef/sand hybrid • Versatile waves