My Complete Arica Surf Guide for 2025

Arica is one of South America’s most hardcore surf destinations, sitting right on the northern Chilean coast, a stone’s throw from the Peruvian border.

The town is famed for its raw Pacific power, fueled by long-period SW swells that hammer the Alacrán Peninsula, a rugged headland that juts into the ocean from the town center.

This isn’t your standard surf getaway—Arica is all about slabby reef breaks, deep barrels, and high-performance waves for gun riders.

The most famous wave in town is El Gringo, a thick, grinding left-hander that has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous waves in the world.

There are a couple of mellower options, but for the most part, Arica is for those who like their surf heavy. Generally speaking, if you’re learning or intermediate, I’d say skip this one and go elsewhere in Chile, like Pichilemu for example.

Off the water, it’s a gritty, lively town with a burgeoning party scene, fueled by its status as a border city stop-off for travelers heading north into Peru or south into Chile.

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This guide is just one part of our complete surf guide to Chile

Surf spots in Arica

Arica has a unique geography that makes it amazing at harnessing the legendary SW swells that push through the Pacific.

The nose of the town if you like is an old island that’s now a peninsula. That can hook any sets and create massive waves on the reefs that lie either side of it.

North of that there are some inside beaches that are more protected.

Las Machas

Las Machas is the closest thing Arica has to a beginner-friendly wave.

This is a long stretch of beach that varies significantly along its length. The southern end is more sheltered from direct SW swells, making it a decent option for learners and intermediates when conditions align.

As you move north, the swell exposure increases, and the banks become more unpredictable, sometimes producing fun, peaky wedges but often delivering closeouts or average conditions.

Like most beach breaks, sand movement from storms and tides dictates the quality of the waves, meaning it can be excellent one day and mediocre the next.

Playa Chinchorro

At the southernmost end of Las Machas, Playa Chinchorro offers the most protected waves in town, making it a solid choice for groms and beginners.

It’s effectively an extension of Machas but with more wind and swell shelter, meaning smaller, more manageable peaks.

This is one of the few spots in Arica where you won’t be dodging slabs and heavy water, but it still requires checking conditions, as it’s often small and inconsistent unless a mid-range swell is running.

El Brazo

El Brazo is a reef-sand hybrid break wedged between the Alacrán Peninsula and the port area to the north.

It’s less intense than El Gringo, offering a fatter, more playful face that allows for big, open turns and powerful carves. It’s one of the better intermediate waves in Arica, though it still packs plenty of punch on a bigger swell when it will be advanced only.

The takeoff can be a bit tricky, and it’s best at mid to high tide, as lower tides expose more reef and make things sketchier.

El Gringo

El Gringo is the most famous wave in Arica, and one of the most notorious slab barrels in the world. Sitting just off the Alacrán Peninsula (the round island conneced to town by a bridge thingy), this beast is a powerful, heavy left-hander that breaks hard over shallow volcanic reef, producing thick, square barrels that offer little room for mistakes.

When it’s on, it’s a full-on step-up board situation, with a relentless takeoff, steep drop, and heaving exit section. It’s often compared to Pipeline but with an even more dangerous, unforgiving reef that you can even sometimes tell is totally dry on top.

The wave starts working at around 6 feet and can hold well over 15 feet, making it one of the most advanced spots in South America. This is not for beginners or casual intermediates—expect heavy local chargers and traveling pros when the swell is pumping.

El Buey

El Buey is Arica’s XXL wave spot, a deep-water reef that fires up when big south swells hit the coast.

This is big-wave surfing territory, with faces reaching 30-40 feet when the Pacific turns on. It’s a longer, open-ocean wave compared to El Gringo, meaning there’s more time to set up, but that doesn’t make it any less gnarly.

The takeoff is critical, and the water moves with serious force, so commitment is key.

The best place to watch is from Playa El Laucho or Hotel Arica, where you can see surfers tackling one of the most extreme waves in the country.

When to surf in Arica?

Arica has surfable waves year-round, but the best conditions hit between April and October. This is when the long-period SW swells generated deep in the Southern Ocean roll in and fire up the reefs and slabs. Winter (June–August) is the big-wave season, when El Buey and El Gringo reach their heaviest and most powerful conditions.

If you’re looking for more manageable waves, the shoulder seasons (March–May & September–November) are a solid option, bringing consistent overhead swells without the full-force winter power. Summer (December–February) tends to be smaller and less reliable, though some waves—especially the beach breaks—can still offer fun conditions for intermediates.

Winds in Arica are generally offshore in the mornings, so dawn patrols are the best bet for clean conditions. Afternoons often see cross-shore breezes, which can add some texture to the lineup.

Where to stay for surfing in Arica?

Arica has developed into a bit of a party town, thanks to its border-city location and growing tourism scene, meaning there’s a mix of surf lodges and more mainstream hotels to choose from.

For serious surfers, staying near Punta Alacrán is the best move, as it puts you within walking distance of El Gringo and El Buey. There are now a few surf-specific stays catering to wave riders, offering board storage, local surf guides, and laid-back communal vibes.

Hotel Apacheta – A super-cool hotel with end-of-the-world vibes. It’s a design masterpiece with wood-panel exteriors that sit in union with the desert hills. Pretty cool to look at. Faces the El Buey break and close to the other major surf spots in town too.
Antay Hotel & Spa – A lively hotel on the main beach. Better for beginners, partiers, and people who came here just to watch the chargers do thier thing.