Tamarindo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a yarn about what’s comin’ up around Tamarindo. The river mouth’s the only game in town this outlook, and we’ve got a bit of a mix bag ahead. The water’s sittin’ at about 86.2°F, which is a good 3.8°F warmer than usual for this time of year – you’ll feel that bath-like warmth when you paddle out.

We’re looking at a slow start. The first proper chance to wet a line comes Saturday morning, the 12th. We’ve got a modest 3 ft SW swell, with a consistent 14-second period – that’s a nice long groundswell, meaning better-shaped waves and longer lulls between sets. The combined energy sits at 370, which is a moderate pulse. Offshore wind is still light and cross-off from the NE, so it’s clean but nothing to write home about. The rating’s low, so don’t expect pumping waves, just a few fun ones.

Sunday the 13th morning shapes up better. The swell drops a touch to 2 ft, but we’ve got a proper offshore breeze from the ENE at 12 mph, making for clean faces. The period’s still in that sweet spot at 13 seconds, energy’s down to 191 – so it’s weak, but the wind makes it surfable if you’re after a morning cruise.

Things start to look up Monday the 14th morning. Same tiny 2 ft SW swell, but the period jumps to a very long 19 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, though at a beach-and-river setup like this, long-period swell can break a bit too straight – the current might help. Light NE breeze at 6 mph, cross-off, and conditions are clean. The energy’s moderate at 292. It’s small but clean and promising for the patient surfer.

The standout for the first week is Wednesday the 16th morning. The swell pushes up to 4 ft from the SW, with a 16-second period – still a long period. East-northeast offshore wind at 9 mph, clean, and a combined energy of 741, which is moderate-strong. That’s some real push behind it. This is the pick of the early run: good size, clean, and the river mouth should handle it well. You’ll want to be on it early.

Thursday the 17th morning is also a beauty – 3.3 ft SW swell, 14-second period, ENE light cross-off at 6 mph, energy at 530. Good conditions again, though a tad smaller than Wednesday.

Then we hit a glassy run. Friday the 18th morning is dead flat wind-wise – a glassy 3 mph southerly – with 3 ft SW swell and 13-second period. Energy’s moderate at 447. It’ll be smooth as a mirror. Saturday the 19th morning is similarly glassy with a WNW light breeze, 2 ft but a very long 19-second period, energy at 392.

The real highlight of the whole outlook lands on Sunday the 20th morning. We’ve got 3 ft SW swell, but the period is a massive 19 seconds – proper long-period groundswell. Glassy wind from the WNW at just 3 mph. The combined energy cranks to 728, so there’s a solid punch behind those clean lines. This is your Sunday session to circle on the calendar.

Monday the 21st morning is also top-tier: glassy calm, 3.6 ft SW swell, 18-second period, and energy at 754. That’s almost identical energy to Sunday – clean, fun, and consistent.

Now for the bigger stuff. Wednesday the 23rd morning sees the swell jump to 6.9 ft from the SW, with a short 9-second period. That’s nearly 8.2 ft, so it’s getting into expert territory – not for beginners. Combined energy hits a strong 1021. Offshore ESE wind at just 3 mph keeps it clean. This is a proper pulse, but short-period swell can be a bit crumbly in the river mouth. If you’re experienced, it’s a go.

Friday the 25th through Saturday the 26th sees another solid pulse. Friday morning has 5.9 ft SSW swell at a short 8-second period, light offshore E wind, energy at 576. By Saturday morning, it’s back to 6.9 ft SW swell at 9 seconds, energy 978, cross-off wind from the SE at 9 mph. That’s big and punchy, but the period is short – more for the charger crowd.

The final session to mention is Sunday the 27th afternoon: 2.6 ft SW swell but a lovely 16-second period, light offshore E wind at 3 mph, glassy conditions, and energy at 549. A clean note to end on.

Overall, the standouts are Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st mornings – glassy, long-period, clean, and moderate energy. Wednesday the 23rd morning is the big-wave option for the experienced crew. Crowds at the river mouth are said to be “often,” so don’t expect an empty lineup, especially on those glassy weekends.

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