El Brazo is located at the Alacrán Peninsula, which was once an island until it got connected to the mainland with the construction of the port of Arica in the '60s. This surf spot sits at the northern tip of the peninsula off the elbow jetty and features sand-covered reef breaks. The area generally sees its best days with larger wraparound swells and S-SW winds. It tends to be pretty quiet out here, so you might have the wave mostly to yourself.

The waves at El Brazo work best with a SouthWest swell direction and can handle sizes up to about 2 meters (6 ft). You can expect both left and right waves here, with a preference for the rights often staying open a bit longer. The breaks occur over an uneven reef and sand, making it important to be aware of the conditions. This spot is suitable for intermediate surfers who can navigate the sometimes tricky setups. You’ll find the best waves during low, mid, and high tides, but keep in mind that the consistency can be hit or miss.

While the wave itself is known for being large and tubular, the overall crowd situation is pretty low. Not many surfers will be out here at any given time, so if you score it, you might end up with a great session without dealing with a lot of competition. If you’re looking for a place that's not too crowded and offers some interesting surf, El Brazo could be worth a visit.