Las Machas
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Las Machas is a wide, sandy beach break on the Arica coast, known for clean water and strong year-round wind performance in the S/SSW/SW directions. For wind sports, the wind is described as steady and often very consistent, with a predictable afternoon thermal strengthening over a base trade-wind flow—most reliable in summer. Typical conditions for wind sports are side-onshore, which supports riding and learning, while for surfing it can create a choppier surface. Kitesurfing is the standout activity: the combination of dependable southerly/southwesterly wind and the beach’s large, sandy launch/setup area makes it practical for progression. Sources also note that conditions are suitable for a mix of freeride and wave-focused riding, and recommended kite sizes commonly cluster around mid-to-upper ranges. However, there are important compliance considerations—kitesurfing may be restricted and you may need to verify legality, permits, or local organization membership before launching. Surfing is described as a consistent sand-bar beach break with multiple peaks. Waves work from roughly 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to around 3 m+ before closing out, delivering both right and left waves over sand. Wave quality is described as good and the wave shape as peeling; ride length is typically reported in the short-to-medium range (often around 50–150 m depending on sandbar formation). Even though the lineup can be friendly for progression, it is an exposed beach with shore-break and wind-related chop. In terms of practical safety and comfort, common hazards noted include rip currents and shore-break effects, along with very strong sun/UV exposure typical of the desert climate. Lifeguard presence is reported as seasonal, and emergency services are available in nearby Arica city; maritime rescue is also indicated via Chilean Navy search-and-rescue channels. Access is straightforward, including the ability to drive directly on the sand to the water, and the spot sits very close to the Peru border.
- Consistent S/SSW/SW wind with predictable afternoon strengthening
- Wide sandy beach for easy setup and self-launch access
- Surf holds usable swell from about 1.0–1.5 m up to around 3 m+ on sandbars
- Good year-round wind/surf culture near the Peru border
- Reliable south/southwest wind driven by daily thermal sea-breeze and trade-wind patterns, especially in summer.
- Very wide sandy beach with straightforward access and room for setup.
- Surf can hold usable swell up to around 3 m+ on a sand-bar beach break with lefts and rights.
- Surf can become choppy on southerly/southwesterly wind and is described as exposed with shore-break effects.
- Kitesurfing rules may be restricted or require checking permits/local membership.
- UV/sun exposure can be very high.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Predominantly southerly to southwesterly trade winds; summer also benefits from a predictable afternoon thermal sea-breeze component.
- Reliability
- High during summer months; daily thermal/sea-breeze pattern builds predictably.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady; thermal wind builds through the afternoon in summer.
- Best Months
- January, February, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with sand-bar features.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf size described as small-to-medium; also described as working from about 1.0–1.5 m up to 3 m+.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Wind can create choppy surf conditions; kitesurfing described as flat water with some chop.
- Launch
- Big — Very wide and spacious sandy beach with room for setup; self-launch and driving directly on the beach to the water.
Through the year
Weekends and summer holidays (especially January–February) are busiest.
Virtually no rain due to the Atacama Desert; increased cloud cover can occur in summer due to 'Invierno Altiplánico' conditions.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water with chop and small-to-medium waves; best on S/SSW/SW winds. Large beach space makes setup easier; suitable for twin-tip freeride and progressing wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Freeride and bump-and-jump conditions with consistent daily southerly/southwesterly wind. Wide sandy access helps, but shore break can challenge beginners on larger gear.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Friendly sandy bottom and lack of reef supports learning; depth increases steadily providing room for long tacks.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Sandy bottom and no reef are described as making it suitable for foiling.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A consistent beach break with sandbars and multiple peaks; works from about 1.0–1.5 m up to 3 m+ and produces both left and right waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also described as working at mid and high tide (rising/falling).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach conditions.
- Wind Effect
- South/Southwest winds make surfing choppy; described as onshore when SSE.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size up to around 3 m+ before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power; holds up to larger swell before closing out.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling sand-bar waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling shape is described; peel speed also described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short to medium rides depending on sandbar formation.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically 50–150 m; shorter when sandbars form smaller sections (noted as short <50 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Machas in the full forecast view.
Las Machas wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–10 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- WSW257°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.4 m11s period
- Temperature
- 20–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Las Machas is forecast for daytime winds of 1–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.9–1.4 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rip currents
- moderate shore break
- very high UV/sun exposure
- possible restricted areas closer to the city end
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Regional rescue availability is indicated via Chilean Navy maritime search and rescue; emergency services are available in Arica city.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services are available in Arica city (immediately adjacent). Maritime search and rescue is provided by the Chilean Navy via the national emergency number 137.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard right-of-way rules apply; kitesurfing legality may require checking local permission/permits and/or local kite organization requirements.
- kiteboarding and windsurfing are generally restricted to the northern, less crowded areas of the beach
- It is your responsibility to verify whether kitesurfing is allowed at the spot; you might need a special permit or local kite organization membership.
- The wind is most consistent in the summer months.
- During peak summer, the southern end near the city can get crowded with swimmers—launch further north at Las Machas.
- Drive directly on the beach to the water; the spot is very close to the border with Peru.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Arica
- Nearest Town
- Arica
- Nearest Airport
- Chacalluta International Airport (ARI)
- Parking
- Ample parking along the coastal road or directly on the sand in designated areas; also described as parking in front of the wave with instant beach access.
- Public Transport
- Arica is well-served by collective taxis (colectivos) and micro-buses between the city center and northern beach districts.
- Access
- With a car, you can drive directly on the beach to the water. Very close to the border with Peru.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, hostels, and apartments within walking distance or a short drive in Arica.
- Food & Drink
- Various beach bars and restaurants along the promenade near Chinchorro.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available (surf shops and some kite schools in the city).
- Gear Storage
- Available at some local schools/hostels (and regionally described as available through some accommodation providers).
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repair services can be found in Arica city.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
An iconic hill offering panoramic views of the city and coastline, featuring a historical museum at the summit.
World-famous prehistoric funerary remains tied to the Arica area.
Home to the Chinchorro mummies, the oldest mummies in the world, located in the nearby Azapa Valley.
A Gothic-style iron church designed by Gustave Eiffel's studio.
Tandem flights launching from cliffs over city beaches.
Broader outdoor activity opportunities beyond the beach.
The city’s shoreline is presented as suitable for swimming and water sports.
High concentration of seafood restaurants and bars overlooking the Pacific.
Natural sea caves with walking paths and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
The coast is presented as a sun-oriented, family-friendly leisure area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Las Machas?
The best overall months at Las Machas are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Las Machas?
Las Machas works with S, SSW, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Las Machas?
Recommended equipment sizes at Las Machas: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Las Machas suitable for?
Las Machas suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.