Surf Forecasts:
Tamarindo surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 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, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tamarindo this week:
The surf forecast for Tamarindo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tamarindo 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 1.1m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tamarindo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about Tamarindo.
First off, the water is a warm 86°, which is a solid 4° warmer than what’s normal for this time of year, so it’s like jumping into a bath.
The first few days are on the small side, but there's consistent, clean surf right from Tuesday morning. Tuesday the 15th sees a nice 2-3 ft swell from the SW, with a 15-second period and a light offshore breeze from the ENE. The combined swell energy is solidly moderate at 514, so there’s some push. That offshore wind means this river mouth will be clean and peeling, perfect for the beginners this spot is known for. This stretch is the best on offer for the first week, with Wednesday morning and Thursday morning also looking very clean with waist-to-chest high sets (3-4 ft).
Wednesday afternoon goes sideways with a risk of t-storms and a cross-onshore wind, making things choppy. Friday the 20th morning is a real highlight with glassy, clean 3 ft SW swell and a 19-second period – that’s a proper long-period groundswell that will wrap into the river mouth beautifully. The combined energy is strong at 735, so expect some punch.
Now, things get real in the second week. On Friday the 25th, the morning shows a 10 ft swell from the SSW. That’s way too big for this beginner spot, so don't even paddle out. However, the afternoon glass off brings it down to 7 ft, still big but with glassy conditions and a 9-second period, it’ll be a heavy, expert-only wave. Saturday the 26th looks much more manageable with 6 ft clean SW swell – that’s the real standout of the long range. The combined energy rips up to 982, so it’ll be powerful and consistent, but the offshore winds will keep it clean for those who can handle it.
The very end of the month, around the 29th and 30th, has some punchy 5-6 ft swell, but the period drops to 7-8 seconds and the winds get stronger, so it’ll be a bumpy, less-organized affair. Still, there are clean windows on the 30th morning.
Overall, Tamarindo is looking solid. The best bet for the general surfer is Saturday the 26th, where you get a powerful, clean 6 ft SW swell. For a quiet session, the glassy Friday morning the 20th is a ripper. Just stay out of the water on that 10 ft day the 25th.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 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 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 262 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 317 | 249 | 239 | 236 | 224 | 167 | 396 | 621 | 614 | 516 | 679 | 671 | 443 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 10:08AM1.83m | 11:00PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:49AM0.91m | 4:43PM0.78m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | 16 | 5 | — | 11 |
Temp °C | 31 | 30 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 34 | 31 | 27 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 111 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 317 | 249 | 205 | 205 | 170 | 167 | 396 | 621 | 614 | 516 | 679 | 671 | 443 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 262 | 113 | 89 | 89 | 68 | 49 | 90 | 80 | 53 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 55 | 53 | 118 | 114 | 30 | 28 | 43 | 44 | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NNW 13 | N 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 252 | 109 | 95 | 33 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 163 | 220 | 198 | 239 | 236 | 224 | 154 | 49 | 33 | 114 | 88 | 75 | 58 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | NNW 4 | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 6 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tamarindo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tamarindo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tamarindo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tamarindo 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 (Tamarindo) 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 Tamarindo 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.
Tamarindo is 46 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.
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