Las Machas
Las Machas ("The Razor Clams") is a mellow beach break named for the shellfish found on its shores. A beginner-friendly option in the Arica area with consistent, forgiving waves.
Las Machas surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to ARI, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when South America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in South America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full Las Machas trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 210° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.3m - 1.6m
- 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
3/10
Access: South of Arica. Beach access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Las Machas?
Las Machas is a beach break in Arica, Chile, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Las Machas?
Las Machas picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 1.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.3 to 1.6m. 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 Las Machas?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Las Machas, 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 Las Machas?
Las Machas 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 Las Machas?
The most reliable run of swell at Las Machas comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round. Named for razor clams.
How cold is the water at Las Machas?
The water at Las Machas 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 Las Machas good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 3/10 for difficulty. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Mild conditions.
How do I get to Las Machas?
The nearest airport on our list is ARI, then it's roughly a 12-minute drive. South of Arica. Beach access.
What other surf spots are near Las Machas?
The closest breaks we track are El Gringo (1.5 km), Arenillas Negras (1.6 km) and El Laucho (1.8 km), handy when Las Machas isn't working. We track 9 spots around Arica in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round. Named for razor clams.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Gringo
🇨🇱 Chilean Pipeline • Helmet required • Slab of death
Arenillas Negras
🖤 Black sand reef • Quality walls • Less intense
El Laucho
🏖️ Arica mellow option • Beginner-friendly • Warm-up spot
La Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection
El Brazo
💪 The Arm • Reef/sand hybrid • Versatile waves
El Buey
🐂 The Bull • Tow-in giant • 40ft+ faces