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.

September at Pichilemu offers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 2.2m and a long-period groundswell averaging 13.3s, providing powerful, well-organized waves. The swell is predominantly from the SW (45.4% of waves between 1.5–2.5m) and WSW (21.8% in the same range), delivering consistent, high-quality walls and occasional bigger sets, particularly in the 2–2.5m range (27.1% of SW swells). Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 23% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds—typically from the N, NE, or ENE at 0–20kph. However, strong onshore S to SW winds (20–40kph) are frequent (20.7% of days), which can create choppy or blown-out conditions. The best sessions will come with SW swell and lighter N/NE winds, but surfers should monitor forecasts closely for clean, mid-to-large wave days. Expect a mix of powerful surf with variable wind challenges.