Pichilemu - surf spot statistics

Pichilemu, Chile, is a world-class surf destination known for its consistent ground swells and powerful waves, making it a favorite among experienced surfers. The spot benefits from reliable swell activity year-round, with ground swells dominating the mix (85–96% of the time) and virtually no days without swell. The mean swell size remains steady around 2.2–2.3 meters, providing solid surf conditions throughout the year. Wind conditions, however, are less favorable, with good winds occurring only 20–27% of the time, meaning offshore or light winds are relatively rare. The worst wind conditions peak in November and December (80% and 78% bad winds, respectively), while slightly better wind windows appear from March to May (27% good winds). The best months to surf Pichilemu are typically March through May when ground swell consistency is highest (94–96%), swell size is slightly larger (peaking at 2.3m in May), and wind conditions are marginally better compared to other months. While summer months (December–February) still deliver strong ground swells, the higher frequency of onshore winds makes sessions less ideal. Winter months (June–August) maintain solid swell but see a slight dip in ground swell dominance and persistently challenging winds. For surfers prioritizing wave quality over wind conditions, Pichilemu is surfable year-round, but the autumn months (March–May) offer the most balanced combination of swell consistency, size, and relatively better wind chances.

In March, Pichilemu offers solid surfing conditions with an average swell height of 2.2m and a strong period of 13.7s, indicating powerful, well-formed waves. The predominant swell direction is from the SW (14.77% of waves between 1.5-2m and 21.35% between 2-2.5m), followed by WSW and WNW contributions, ensuring consistent, quality waves. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 27% of the time providing ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds for surfing. The most problematic winds come from the S and SSW, frequently blowing at 20-40kph (10.60-8.62% occurrence), which can create choppy or blown-out conditions. However, when winds cooperate, the SW swell produces powerful, clean walls suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. Expect occasional bigger sets, particularly on SW swells, where 1.52% of waves exceed 2.5m. The combination of a strong swell and limited clean wind windows makes March a month of selective but rewarding sessions—best timed around early mornings or wind shifts.