El Huayaco • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (December - March)

El Huayaco's best chance of workable surf comes during the austral summer. Even though the average swell height drops slightly to 4-5ft (1.4-1.6m), the dominant SSW/SW groundswell still packs a punch with periods in the 12.8-13.5s range. Most importantly, the semi-permanent South Pacific High drifts farther south, the coastal pressure gradient relaxes, and the persistent S/SSW trades lose some of their bite. The only months with any meaningful percentage of ideal offshore flow are January, February, and March, with clean windows running 1-2 percent of the time. Those rare moments, combined with 19-20°C water and virtually zero rain, make this the prime window.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & October - November)

These shoulder months mark a battle between increasing mid-latitude cyclone activity and a tightening South Pacific High. Swell sizes build to 5-6ft (1.6-1.8m) in April-May and remain solid at 5-6ft (1.6-1.8m) in October-November, with long 13-13.6s periods. However, ideal wind drops to zero as S and SSW flow becomes more persistent and often stronger. Expect clean-up sessions to be short-lived, usually at dawn or in the lee of the point, while most of the day offers lumpy, onshore-affected surf.

Low Surf Season (June - September)

The core winter months deliver the biggest, most powerful SSW/SW swells of the year, with average heights around 6ft (1.9m) and periods near 13s. Yet El Huayaco's SW-facing orientation is locked in a constant battle with the trades: S and SSW winds blow at 10-20kph for well over 80 percent of the time, directly onshore. The result is plenty of size but frequent chop, blown-out faces, and difficult, testing conditions. For the average surfer, the more consistent but degraded winter surf is less appealing than the smaller, cleaner summer swells.