La Rinconada - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

As the Southern Hemisphere summer sets in, the South Pacific syncs up with La Rinconada's unique bathymetry. During these months, a near-constant stream of long-period groundswell from the SW and WSW arcs – averaging 2.0m at 12.8s – pushes into the coast. The key to quality lies in the wind: a robust high-pressure cell over the southern Pacific drives offshore breezes from S, SSW, and SW over half of the time. This combination of solid, powerful swell and clean, offshore winds produces some of the most consistent, punchy waves of the year. While the swell direction isn't dead-on northwest, the long period allows it to refract into the NW-facing beach, delivering rippable, hollow lines when the wind cooperates.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & September)

During the autumn transition, the South Pacific storm track begins to shift, and the dominant high-pressure system weakens. Average swell heights hold steady around 2.0m with periods still in the 12.9-13.1s range, but the wind patterns become more variable. Onshore northerly flow starts to creep in more frequently, especially during May (ideal wind drops to 52%). Yet, windows of clean, offshore conditions still appear, particularly when a transient high sets up to the south. These are the months for the patient surfer – the potential for epic, glassy sessions exists, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Winter grips the Chilean coast, and La Rinconada feels the brunt of it. The Southern Ocean continues to pump out consistent SW-WSW swell (average 2.2m at 12.7s), but the wind regime flips unfavorably. A persistent low-pressure system off the coast generates frequent onshore winds from N, NNW, and NW, destroying wave quality over 50% of the time. While the swell is powerful and the period is long, the combination of cross/onshore winds and the already off-angle swell direction makes for mostly choppy, lumpy conditions. Only the most dedicated locals will find the rare southerly wind day that turns a winter swell into a gem.

July: Deep Winter Slump

July is the darkest month for La Rinconada. Swell remains solid at 2.2m and 12.6s, but onshore northerly flow dominates: N (13%), NNE (11%), and NW (4.3%) combine to ruin wave faces most of the time. The ideal wind percentage is just 48%. Swell direction is split between SW (27%) and WSW (31%) – both off-angle. While the Southern Ocean is cranking, the wind almost always blows against the waves, making for a messy, blown-out lineup. Only days with a strong southerly wind (S: 14%) offer any hope for clean, powerful surf – and those are rare.