Surf Forecasts:
Tamarindo surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,151 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tamarindo in the next 16 days are 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tamarindo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down for the next couple of weeks for Tamarindo. Only one spot in the mix, so this is the full story.
The water temp is pretty much normal for this time of year, nothing to write home about. The swell is coming from the SSW to SW, which is the sweet spot for this river mouth.
First proper surf is Saturday morning, August 8th. We’ve got a good groundswell – 0.9m from the SSW, with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is 585 (moderate). The wind is a moderate offshore from the ENE, so the river mouth will be clean. The afternoon goes glassy – no wind, waves around 1.0m from the SW, and energy at 442. That’s a top session. Expect crowds, though.
Sunday the 9th has a fresh cross-off breeze in the morning, but the afternoon cleans up with a moderate offshore. The swell holds at 1.0m, 14-second period. Good, but not the best.
The absolute standout is Friday afternoon, August 14th. The morning is so-so, but the afternoon is firing. 1.2m of SW groundswell, an 18-second period, and a combined energy of 1097 (strong). The wind is light offshore from the ESE, almost glassy. This is for experienced surfers – the waves will be steep and powerful. Don’t miss it.
Saturday the 15th sees the swell hit 1.5m from the SW, 16-second period, and energy at 1112 (strong). But the wind is a fresh cross-off from the ENE, so it’ll be a bit messy. The afternoon is a fresh offshore, cleaner, but the swell drops to 1.3m.
From Sunday the 16th to Tuesday the 18th, the swell sits around 1.1m to 1.3m, with long periods (14-15 seconds) and light to gentle cross-off or glassy winds. The afternoons of Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are both glassy – a real treat. The energy is moderate (549-627). These are your backup options.
After Wednesday the 19th, the swell fades to 0.8m to 1.0m, periods shorten to 13-14 seconds, and the wind gets messier. The energy drops into the 200s and 400s. There are a few clean windows, like Friday afternoon the 21st and Saturday afternoon the 22nd with gentle offshore winds, but the surf is small. The last week is mostly poor to marginal.
The best on offer: Friday afternoon the 14th is the clear winner – 1.2m SW, 18-second period, light offshore, and the river mouth will be pumping. The second best are the glassy sessions on Saturday the 8th, and the glassy afternoons on Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th.
Catch you in the water,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 376 | 441 | 435 | 309 | 401 | 384 | 241 | 202 | 331 | 186 | 218 | 375 | 212 | 211 | 206 | 181 | 176 | 255 | 373 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 9:15PM1.90m | 9:45AM2.25m | 10:28PM1.90m | 10:57AM2.26m | 11:42PM1.98m | 12:07PM2.32m | 00:50AM2.13m | 1:10PM2.41m | 1:49AM2.30m | 2:07PM2.50m | 2:42AM2.47m | 2:59PM2.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:17AM0.57m | 4:21PM0.51m | 4:30AM0.58m | 5:32PM0.44m | 5:45AM0.52m | 6:37PM0.33m | 6:54AM0.42m | 7:35PM0.20m | 7:54AM0.30m | 8:27PM0.09m | 8:49AM0.20m | 9:15PM0.02m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 35 | 35 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 33 | 35 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 376 | 441 | 435 | 309 | 401 | 384 | 241 | 202 | 331 | 171 | 218 | 268 | 212 | 211 | 206 | 181 | 82 | 82 | 102 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 | S 11 | S 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 144 | 144 | 52 | 101 | 55 | 34 | 125 | 125 | 28 | 87 | 38 | 375 | 58 | 166 | 126 | 51 | 176 | 255 | 251 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 8 | N 5 | S 9 | SSW 18 | NNE 5 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 |
| kJ | 76 | 82 | 4 | 39 | 30 | 8 | 30 | 30 | 99 | 186 | 157 | 36 | 152 | 58 | 55 | 71 | 92 | 154 | 373 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | WSW 6 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNW 5 | N 5 | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 12 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 28 | — | 13 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 11 | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 27 | 0 | 15 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 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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