Playa Chinchorro
Playa Chinchorro is the main surf beach in Arica, Chile's northernmost coastal city. This west-facing beach break offers consistent waves year-round.
Playa Chinchorro 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° - 270°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Main beach in Arica. Easy access from town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playa Chinchorro?
Playa Chinchorro is a beach break in Arica, Chile, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Playa Chinchorro?
Playa Chinchorro picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. 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 Playa Chinchorro?
An E wind is dead offshore at Playa Chinchorro, and anything from the NE round to the SE 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 Playa Chinchorro?
Playa Chinchorro has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playa Chinchorro?
The most reliable run of swell at Playa Chinchorro comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round surf. Best swells autumn through spring.
How cold is the water at Playa Chinchorro?
The water at Playa Chinchorro 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 Playa Chinchorro good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Strong currents on bigger days. Desert climate.
How do I get to Playa Chinchorro?
The nearest airport on our list is ARI, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Main beach in Arica. Easy access from town.
What other surf spots are near Playa Chinchorro?
The closest breaks we track are El Buey (1.8 km), El Brazo (1.9 km) and Arenillas Negras (2.6 km), handy when Playa Chinchorro isn't working. We track 9 spots around Arica in total. Fun fact: it's the most northerly break we track in Chile.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round surf. Best swells autumn through spring.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Buey
🐂 The Bull • Tow-in giant • 40ft+ faces
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 Lisera
🪨 Arica reef right • Needs solid swell • Desert perfection
El Laucho
🏖️ Arica mellow option • Beginner-friendly • Warm-up spot
Plan a trip around Playa Chinchorro
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.