
Surf Forecasts:
Henrys surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Henrys this week:
The surf forecast for Henrys over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Henrys in the next 16 days are 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Henrys over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, surf’s up for Henrys and it’s looking like a steady run of waves rather than one massive blow-out. It’s a consistent reef setup that’s exposed to the west-northwest, so when the swell swings around from the southwest, she lights up. The water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there – just your standard wetsuit weather.
We’re kicking things off on Tuesday the 15th with a clean 3ft of southwest swell, but that period is a long 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell – lots of energy, but a reef like this will handle it better than a beachie will. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the east-northeast, so the face is going to be nice and clean. The combined energy is sitting at 514, which is moderate, but it feels good.
The next morning, Wednesday the 16th, is the pick of the early run. Swell bumps up to 4ft, still from the southwest, with that 16-second period pushing some serious grunt. Clean conditions again with that east-northeast cross-off. Energy’s up to 866 – that’s a solid, moderate push – and it’s just going to be fun, rippable waves all morning. That’s your standout for the first few days.
Thursday and Friday mornings stay in that 3-3ft zone, clean with light offshore winds. It’s good, consistent surf, but nothing that’s going to blow your socks off. The period drops back to 13-14 seconds, still decent, but you’re not getting the same grunt as Wednesday.
Then we hit a bit of a lull. Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th have tiny waves – we’re talking 2ft to 2ft – and the wind swings cross-on in the arvos, chopping things up. The mornings are still glassy and clean, but it’s small. Hang in there though, because it’s building again.
Monday the 21st sees a return to 4ft southwest swell, and that afternoon is absolute gold – glassy conditions with no wind, and the energy is reading 729. That’s a standout session right there. Clean, lined-up, and the reef will be doing its thing.
We’ve got a couple of mixed days after that – Tuesday the 22nd has a clean morning with 4ft and then a ripper afternoon with light cross-off winds. Wednesday the 23rd is back to 3ft, but it’s clean and consistent.
Now, looking further out – this is where it gets interesting. Friday the 25th picks up a new, shorter-period southwest swell, and it jumps from 5ft in the morning to a massive 12ft by the afternoon. That’s a big jump, and with a period of only 9 seconds, it’s going to be lumpy and powerful. That 12ft is only for experienced surfers – beginners are well out of their depth. The energy is roaring at 1828, which is strong, but that short period means it’s going to be a bit messy.
Saturday the 26th is the real standout of the whole forecast. The swell is still up at 7ft, period is a short 8 seconds, but the wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The energy is at 1015, and the guidance says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the big one – big, powerful, and clean. If you’re an expert, this is your day. For everyone else, it’s a spectator sport. Short period like that on a reef can be tricky – it’s not going to be as smooth as the long-period stuff.
After that, it starts to ease back down. Sunday the 27th is back to 4ft, still from the southwest, but the period has stretched back out to 12 seconds. The morning is clean, but the afternoon gets a moderate cross-shore wind that chops it up.
Monday the 28th has 3ft and a glassy morning – perfect conditions, but the size is backing off. Energy is still moderate at 520, and it’s a clean, cruisy day.
The last few days, Tuesday the 29th and Wednesday the 30th, are pretty small – 2ft to 2ft – but there’s a fun 21-second period on that last morning, which is a very long period groundswell. That’s a special kind of energy, but on a reef, it could be a bit straight. Still, if you’re after long walls and easy paddling, it’s worth a look. The water is going to be glassy.
So, overall – the standout is definitely Saturday the 26th for the big swell and clean, expert-only waves. But for the everyday surfer, Wednesday the 16th and Monday the 21st afternoons are your best bets for clean, quality surf without the heavy stuff.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
460 | 262 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 | 249 | 239 | 236 | 224 | 167 | 396 | 621 | 614 | 516 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:06AM2.52m | 5:29PM2.26m | 5:44AM2.39m | 6:09PM2.12m | 6:24AM2.24m | 6:51PM1.97m | 7:07AM2.09m | 7:39PM1.83m | 7:57AM1.96m | 8:37PM1.73m | 8:58AM1.87m | 9:48PM1.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:53PM0.23m | 11:23AM0.22m | 11:31PM0.34m | 12:03PM0.33m | 00:10AM0.47m | 12:45PM0.47m | 00:52AM0.61m | 1:32PM0.60m | 1:39AM0.75m | 2:27PM0.72m | 2:37AM0.86m | 3:33PM0.78m | |||||||
— | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 7 | 13 |
Temp °C | 27 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 35 | 33 | 29 | 34 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
460 | 109 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 | 249 | 205 | 205 | 170 | 167 | 396 | 621 | 614 | 516 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | S 6 |
92 | 262 | 113 | 89 | 89 | 68 | 68 | 90 | 80 | 53 | 51 | 51 | 56 | 55 | 55 | 118 | 114 | 41 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NW 13 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 7 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
50 | 252 | 109 | 95 | 43 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 163 | 220 | 198 | 239 | 236 | 224 | 154 | 51 | 23 | 114 | 88 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Henrys Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Henrys provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Henrys can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Henrys surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Henrys) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Henrys may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Henrys is 47 km (29 miles) from Nicoya. If you plan a holiday in Guanacaste, look for hotels and other accommodation in Nicoya. Nicoya has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










