El Silencio • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (February - April)

El Silencio is never an easy wave, but the late austral summer and early autumn offer the best blend of size and clean windows. During February and March, ideal wind percentages climb to 6% and 8% respectively - the highest of the whole year - while the average swell sits at 4-5ft (1.5-1.6m) with long 13.1-13.5s periods. The South Pacific low-pressure belt begins to ease, but there is still enough energy in the water to make the SSW/SW groundswell wrap into the exposed southwest-facing beach. When a NE/E land breeze develops, the result is punchy, rippable waves before the onshore southerlies kick in.

Fair Surf Season (May - October)

The austral winter is the high-volume season. Average swell heights climb to 6-7ft (1.8-1.9m), and a growing share of the SSW component pushes into the 2-2.5m range. With periods holding around 12.8-13.6s, this is powerful, heavy surf. The catch? The southeast Pacific high strengthens, locking in S/SSW/SW winds and trimming ideal wind percentages to just 1-2%. So while the ocean is full, El Silencio often has a lumpy, wind-affected surface. On the rare mornings when the wind goes variable or shifts to the offshore quadrant, these are the most dangerous and rewarding days of the year.

Low Surf Season (November - January)

Spring and early summer bring a transition to smaller, less consistent swell. Average heights drop back to 4-5ft (1.4-1.6m) by December and January, and the storm tracks retreat southward. The wind story does not improve much, with ideal windows only 1-2% of the time. Still, the long-period nature of the swells and the desert sunshine keep the spot from going completely flat. December and January can produce surprisingly clean, user-friendly waves if an E/NE breeze aligns with a fading SSW swell.