Conditions at Arica in August
August: Winter Waves Refuse to Let Go
August is very much winter at Arica: average height holds at around 6ft (1.8m), period at 13.4s, and the 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) range accounts for 66.4% of the swell (45.0% + 21.4%). The directional mix is the most SSW-heavy of the winter-43.7% SSW and 49.8% SW-so expect lots of angled south-southwest groundswell that needs the longer period to wrap into the WNW-facing beach. Winds are the familiar combination of WSW (46.3%) and W (46.6%), with nearly equal split and 4.3% WNW; ideal offshore remains 0%. August also has a slightly higher share of 10-20kph westerly wind than June and July, so surface conditions can be more textured. Air is near its annual low at 16.5°C, and water bottoms out at 15.5°C. It's cold, powerful, and wind-affected-but if you get a clean early window, the rewards are real overhead walls.
Average Spot conditions at Arica in August
Swell history for August
Wind history for August
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Arica during August. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Arica for your next trip in August.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Arica for August. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Arica.