Surf Forecasts:
Tamarindo surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,552 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tamarindo in the next 16 days are 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tamarindo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here, and I'm looking at Tamarindo. This forecast is looking real good – a nice long run of fun, manageable surf right on your doorstep.
The water's warm, about 86°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – just boardies and a rash guard will do ya.
The main story is a solid, long-period groundswell rolling in. The combined energy is solid (731), showing there’s proper push behind the waves, but the height stays small enough to keep it fun for everyone.
The real kicker is the morning of Thursday, September 3rd. Hit Tamarindo (river mouth) first thing. We’re talking clean, waist-high waves at 2 feet from the southwest, with an extra-long period of 19 seconds. The wind will be a light cross-offshore at 6 mph, keeping the surface silky. That long period really suits this river mouth wave.
Now, for the true standout of the whole window, you need to be out there on the morning of Saturday, September 5th. The swell jumps up to a solid 6 feet from the southwest. The energy gets strong (1578), but the wind is forecast to be glassy – flat calm. Zero wind. The waves will be absolutely perfect and clean. At that size, it's got some push, so it’s for confident paddlers, but for anyone who can handle it, this is the session of the trip.
Beyond that, we’ve got consistent waist-to-chest high waves hanging around in the 3 to 4 foot range through the week. The morning of Wednesday, September 9th looks special in the afternoon with a clean 4-foot set and a light offshore breeze from the east.
Looking way out to Friday, September 18th, there’s a whisper of a very special swell. It’s a tiny forecast at 2 feet, but the period is a monster 21 seconds. That means a slow, powerful, pulsing groundswell. At the river mouth, those long-period waves will stand up and offer long, fun walls. It’s a long way out, so keep your fingers crossed, but it's a beauty on the horizon.
So, the rundown is: Thursday morning for the clean opener, do not sleep in on Saturday morning, and keep that final Friday circled on the calendar.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 296 | 577 | 1099 | 1297 | 1519 | 1314 | 1552 | 1164 | 949 | 833 | 676 | 658 | 507 | 363 | 342 | 312 | 224 | 302 | 299 | 767 | 985 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:56PM2.09m | 7:20AM2.33m | 7:53PM1.99m | 8:20AM2.23m | 9:01PM1.92m | 9:31AM2.16m | 10:19PM1.93m | 10:48AM2.16m | 11:35PM2.03m | 12:00PM2.22m | 00:40AM2.19m | 1:02PM2.31m | 1:35AM2.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:52PM0.35m | 00:59AM0.43m | 1:47PM0.44m | 1:56AM0.53m | 2:52PM0.51m | 3:07AM0.61m | 4:06PM0.53m | 4:26AM0.63m | 5:19PM0.48m | 5:43AM0.56m | 6:24PM0.38m | 6:49AM0.44m | 7:19PM0.27m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | 12 | 1 | 14 | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 32 | 28 |
Feels °C | 35 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 35 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 30 | 34 | 35 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 291 | 577 | 1099 | 1297 | 1519 | 1314 | 1552 | 1164 | 949 | 833 | 676 | 658 | 507 | 363 | 342 | 245 | 202 | 302 | 299 | 767 | 985 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | WNW 9 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 11 | W 12 |
| kJ | 144 | 174 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 63 | 26 | 33 | 32 | 43 | 45 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 18 | 312 | 224 | 154 | 144 | 62 | 69 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 15 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | S 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 5 |
| kJ | 296 | 171 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 10 | 25 | 13 | 14 | 26 | 38 | 32 | 45 | 68 | 91 | 93 | 98 | 231 | 134 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | NNW 4 | — | NNE 3 | SW 5 | NE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | — | 7 | 1 | 17 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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