Breaking over a shallow volcanic slab off Arica's Alacrán peninsula, El Gringo is a thick, grinding left-hander often dubbed the 'Chilean Pipeline' and rated among South America's heaviest and most notorious waves; it has featured on WCT and WQS event rosters. The wave breaks in very shallow water and is for experienced, expert surfers only, with hard-charging locals and bodyboarders in the lineup. Best in winter with offshore winds from the northeast and consistent south/southwest groundswells.
🌡️ ~17.9°C now · a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: not suitable for this level
Advanced: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at El Gringo. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: not suitable for this level
Advanced: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks El Gringo's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 7 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 20° | 22° | 21° | 20° | 19° | 18° | 17° | 17° | 17° | 18° | 19° | 19° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with cross-onshore winds around 8 km/h from the W. Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with cross-onshore winds around 8 km/h from the NW. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 4.8 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~21°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 5.0 ft (1.5 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
Waves average 5.8 ft (1.8 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.5 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.2 ft (1.6 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.3 ft (1.6 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.5 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~6 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.4 ft (1.7 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.1 ft (1.6 m), with light winds (~8 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.4 ft (1.4 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. Not one of the standout months for any level.
For advanced surfers: May–Nov. The biggest waves come in May, averaging 5.8 ft (1.8 m), and the smallest in December, at 4.4 ft (1.4 m).
It ranges from ~17°C in July to ~22°C in February, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In July (~17°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. In February (~22°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Not really: El Gringo is best suited to advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is ARI, and the nearest town is Arica, Chile.
