Surf Forecasts:
Tivives surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 20s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 452 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tivives this week:
The surf forecast for Tivives over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tivives in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tivives over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've got the goods on the local surf scene for you. It's a bit of a slow start, but there's a definite pulse building in the long-range forecast. The standout window is right at the end of the period, around September 10th, but we've got some solid early-morning fun to be had along the way.
Alright, let's kick off with the main event. The only break really on the radar is Tivives. It's a spot that's a bit inconsistent, so when it lines up, you've gotta be on it. The water temp is sitting right around the average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The first few days are a tease. Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are pretty ordinary with some small, weak swell (energy around 95 to 129) and funky winds spoiling the afternoons. The mornings are tiny, glassy, and clean, but the size is just not there. There's a bit of a gap in quality surf until Friday morning the 28th. That's when things start to look up. Friday the 28th morning sees that glassy, offshore NW wind, with a 2 ft SW groundswell riding a long 20-second period. The energy is moderate (344), and the conditions are clean, making for some fun little waves.
Saturday the 29th, Sunday the 30th, and Monday the 31st all follow the same pattern: glassy mornings with clean, offshore winds, and a moderate swell energy (372-449) from the SSW. Swell heights are around 2 ft to 3 ft, and the period is a nice 13-16 seconds. These mornings are the best of the near-term, consistently offering clean, surfable conditions as the energy builds. The afternoons, however, are a write-off with cross-onshore winds.
The first week of September starts flat. Tuesday the 1st is a write-off with poor onshore winds and short-period, messy swell. Then Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are back to the same pattern: small, glassy mornings with not much punch.
Then we hit the real gold. The real standout is the entire stretch from Friday the 4th of September through to Thursday the 10th. The morning sessions are where it's at. On Friday the 4th, we've got a 3 ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and the energy is ramping up to strong (535), all under glassy conditions. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are similar, with a 3 ft and 3 ft SSW swell and strong energy (556 and 322). The morning of Monday the 7th is glassy with a 3 ft SSW swell. Tuesday the 8th morning is a standout with a 2 ft SSW groundswell, but the period is a very long 19 seconds, and the energy is strong (408). The best of the best, though, is the Wednesday the 9th morning with a 3 ft SW swell and a 17-second period, energy hitting 584, and glassy conditions. And Thursday the 10th morning is the absolute pick: a 3 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, massive energy of 758, and glassy conditions promising very good surf. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
Remember, Tivives is a bit inconsistent, so you have to be ready to go when the windows open. The morning winds are the key, and they're looking perfect for a good stretch. The afternoons will be blown out, but the early sessions are dreamy. For the beginners, the swell is small enough to be fun, but it'll be a bit more challenging for the real learners. The long-period swells mean the waves will have plenty of shape and power, but the sets might be a bit spaced out, making the paddle out easier.
In summary, there's a long gap in quality surf until the very end of August, but the first ten days of September are building to a solid finish. The best call is the morning of Thursday the 10th of September, but the whole week prior offers some absolutely cracking early-morning sessions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 18 | S 7 | SW 18 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
57 | 49 | 45 | 78 | 43 | 80 | 186 | 107 | 449 | 386 | 447 | 419 | 334 | 325 | 257 | 158 | 154 | 151 | 87 | 85 | 81 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:53PM2.42m | 2:26AM2.41m | 2:34PM2.53m | 3:02AM2.58m | 3:13PM2.62m | 3:37AM2.72m | 3:49PM2.68m | 4:11AM2.82m | 4:26PM2.70m | 4:46AM2.88m | 5:03PM2.68m | 5:22AM2.89m | 5:42PM2.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:12PM0.52m | 8:28AM0.63m | 8:48PM0.41m | 9:07AM0.50m | 9:23PM0.32m | 9:44AM0.38m | 9:57PM0.27m | 10:21AM0.30m | 10:31PM0.25m | 10:58AM0.26m | 11:07PM0.26m | 11:37AM0.26m | 11:45PM0.31m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | — | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 |
26 | 49 | 45 | 43 | 43 | 44 | 33 | 32 | 449 | 386 | 447 | 419 | 334 | 325 | 257 | 64 | 109 | 82 | 79 | 84 | 66 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 8 |
57 | 43 | 42 | 78 | 31 | 80 | 125 | 107 | 32 | 34 | 45 | 33 | 23 | 30 | 34 | 158 | 154 | 151 | 87 | 85 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 12 | SW 20 | SW 20 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 |
12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 12 | 186 | 97 | 21 | 39 | 37 | 18 | 18 | 32 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 33 | 31 | 81 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 96 | 0 | 1 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 7 | 11 | 69 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tivives Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tivives provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tivives can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tivives 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 (Tivives) 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 Tivives 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.
Tivives is 15 km (9 miles) from Esparza. If you plan a holiday in Golfo de Nicoya, look for hotels and other accommodation in Esparza. Esparza has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











