Surf spot

El Loa

Forecast conditions and map view for El Loa in Chile, Tarapaca. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Chile, Tarapaca
Coordinates: -21.4306, -70.0599

Metric
Metric	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00
Wave height (m)	1.1	1.1	0.8	1	1.1	1.2	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9
Wave direction	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	WSW	WSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW
Wave period (s)	5	5.3	10.2	5.5	10	9.4	8.1	8	7.8	7.7	7.6	7.5	7.5	7.3	7.3	7.2	6.8	6.7	6.7	6.7	6.7	6.7	6.7	8.1	8	11.7	12.5	12.3	12	11.8	11.6	11.3	11.2	11.1	10.9	10.8	10.7	10.6	10.3	10.4	10.3	10.3	10.2	10.2	10.1	10.7	11.8	11.7	10.8	10.6	10.7	10.7	10.4	10.3	10.2	10
Wave energy (kJ)	65	73	132	67	233	263	295	273	259	253	246	243	224	206	189	181	171	166	149	127	117	96	88	126	118	250	288	288	277	265	256	247	222	218	203	187	168	157	148	138	136	128	120	114	106	99	94	105	142	144	154	162	153	158	152	148
Wind speed (km/h)	9.1	4.9	9.1	11.9	13.6	12.9	9.8	9.1	5.8	8.1	10.8	10.1	14.3	13.2	11.2	5.1	7.7	12.6	14.8	11.6	14.8	14.3	10.7	4.2	1.8	3.6	2.7	8	9.7	9.7	7	2.6	2.4	1.5	3.3	4.7	11.6	12.1	7.8	4	2.1	3.2	4.7	5.2	16	14.5	9.9	1.6	3.1	2.6	6.6	12.1	17.8	14.3	7.4	1.1
Wind direction	SSECross	SEGlassy	SCross	SCross-on	SWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SSECross	SCross-on	SCross-on	SWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWOnshore	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SSWGlassy	WGlassy	NGlassy	SSEGlassy	SWCross-on	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WNWGlassy	NNWGlassy	SWGlassy	SSWGlassy	SSWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWOnshore	WGlassy	WNWGlassy	SSWGlassy	SGlassy	SSWCross-on	WSWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SSWGlassy	WNWGlassy	SWGlassy	SSECross	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	WSWGlassy

El Loa (Tarapacá, Chile) is a remote surf spot on Chile’s far northern coast, in the Tarapacá region. It’s known for its rugged desert setting, cold Pacific water, and a wild, uncrowded feel. Because it’s in one of the driest places on Earth, the scenery is striking: arid cliffs, open coastline, and very little development.

What it’s like

Type of wave: Typically a beachbreak or mixed coastal break depending on the exact stretch of coast and swell direction.
Wave quality: Can produce powerful, fast, and hollow waves when conditions line up, especially with Southern Ocean swell.
Crowds: Usually very low, since the area is remote and less traveled.
Wind/swell sensitivity: Like much of northern Chile, conditions can be sensitive to local winds and open-ocean swell exposure.

Conditions

Water temperature: Cold year-round; a full wetsuit is usually needed.
Best swell: Often benefits from long-period SW/S swell pulses coming up the Pacific.
Best season: Can work year-round, but many surfers prefer the more reliable swell seasons in the cooler months.
Skill level: Can range from intermediate to advanced if the waves are powerful or shallow.

Access and vibe

El Loa is appealing more for its adventure factor than for easy access or polished surf infrastructure. Expect a raw, natural setting rather than a developed surf town.