Las Machas is a long stretch of sand-bottomed beach break in Arica, with peaks scattered along its length and both lefts and rights on offer. It carries a bit of history too, hosting the first Arica surf championship back in the summer of 1983. The beach stretches from the Rio Lluta mouth at its northern end down to Playa Chinchorro, its natural southerly extension. When the swell fills in, it can get big and rippy.
When It Works
This is a consistent beach that rarely goes quiet. It draws swell from south through west-southwest to northwest (S-WSW-NW), with southwest the best match, and works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 1.2 m / 4 ft. The sandbanks shift around a lot with the rips, so the peaks move; it's usually worth checking the Rio Lluta mouth at the northern end to find the best bank on the day.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast offshore wind to clean it up. It surfs best around high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
The mellow beach-break peaks make Las Machas a friendly option for beginners. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's working, and it can fill up on summer weekends, when locals and tourists pitch their tents along the sand.
Access
There's a surf school on hand if you need lessons or a bit of guidance.
