A long beachbreak north of Arica that pulls double duty as a training ground for newer surfers and an afternoon refuge when the region's better waves blow out. SSW swell from 3-8ft is the sweet spot, and the break runs best at low tide according to forecast services, though mid and high tide can also produce rideable sections. South wind keeps it clean, which matters because by midday the thermal trades shred most of Arica's more serious reefs, leaving Las Machas as the logical afternoon option. Two distinct sandbar peaks sit either side of an old pier, keeping the crowd spread across a wide beach. Bottom: sand. Season: March-September. Consistency: moderate, works most swell events of the winter cycle. Watch for the pier when paddling wide on bigger sets, it is closer than it looks from the water.
Weekdays stay relatively quiet. Weekends draw a moderate crowd, but the vibe is genuinely welcoming and the wide beach distributes surfers across two peaks. Forecasts flag occasional intensity despite the welcoming local culture, so read the lineup before paddling straight to the peak. Mellow crowd, light shoulder burn.
Park directly in front of the beach from the main road, roughly a 50-yard walk to the water. No complicated access. Water quality is fair but can deteriorate after rain. The pier is the primary physical hazard: stay aware of your drift, especially on bigger days when currents push toward the structure.
When Las Machas goes flat or the wind turns unfavorable, Arica's reef breaks Gringo and El Buey offer more powerful, performance-oriented waves for advanced surfers in the morning glass. Either spot rewards an early start before the afternoon thermal winds fire up.
Forecast by Windy.app
