El Nihuil is the largest reservoir on the Atuel system, about 75 kilometres south of San Rafael, with consistent afternoon winds that have made it one of the better windsurfing and kitesurfing spots in inland South America. The village of El Nihuil on the shore is small — a school, a few shops, a couple of restaurants, and the windsurfing schools.
For most visitors the lake is a day-trip from San Rafael, combined with the Atuel Canyon (which sits between the two). For wind enthusiasts it is a stop in its own right, particularly from October to March when the southerly winds are most reliable. The water is cold but the wind is generous.