Surf Forecasts:
The Tree surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SSW swell with 480 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Tree this week:
The surf forecast for The Tree over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Tree in the next 16 days are 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Tree over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking at The Tree. We’ve got a solid run of surf, and it’s all about picking the windows when the wind lays down.
We kick off on Monday morning, August 17th. The water is a balmy 87°F, and it’s 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty unusual, so you’re in for a warm one. We’ve got a clean 3ft SW swell pushing in with a long 14-second period, and the combined energy is solid at 526 (moderate). The wind is glassy from the north, so expect smooth, lined-up waves. This is a standout session for the advanced crew – the long period means it’ll be better for the point or reef setup here, with longer gaps between sets making the paddle out easier. Crowds are possible though, so get in early.
The afternoon on Monday sees the wind swing cross-on from the SSE, making things a bit tricky. Still surfable, but not the clean morning.
Tuesday morning, August 18th, offers a smaller 2ft SW swell, but the wind is glassy again from the SE. The period drops to 13 seconds, so the energy is still there (461 – moderate). It’s a good, clean option for a quieter session, but the size is down.
Wednesday morning, August 19th, is a repeat of the good stuff: 3ft SW swell with a 15-second period, glassy north wind, and combined energy of 375 (moderate). The afternoon is totally glassy too, with no wind at all. That’s a rare treat.
Thursday morning, August 20th, is another glassy morning with 2ft SW swell. Smaller but clean.
Friday morning, August 21st, is the next real standout. We’ve got a 4ft SSW swell, glassy calm from the NE, and a combined energy of 468 (moderate). The period is 11 seconds, so it’s a groundswell with good shape. This is the best of the first week.
Saturday morning, August 22nd, is another clean one with 4ft S swell, glassy from the SE, and 329 (moderate) energy. Good, but not as big as Friday.
Sunday morning, August 23rd, is glassy again with 3ft S swell. The energy drops to 399 (moderate). A solid choice for a Sunday session.
The next week brings a gap in quality. From Monday, August 24th, through to Saturday, August 29th morning, the surf is small – mostly 2ft to 2ft – with onshore winds in the afternoons. The mornings are glassy, but the swell is weak, with energy dropping to 210-165 (weak to moderate). It’s a flat spell, really.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The real standout of the whole 16-day window is the very end. Saturday morning, August 29th, kicks off a new pulse: 2ft SW swell, but with a very long 18-second period and glassy north wind. The energy is 542 (moderate). This is a groundswell arrival, and it’s just the beginning.
Then Sunday morning, August 30th, is the absolute best on offer. A 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, glassy calm from the ESE, and combined energy of 1056 (strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period will make it reel off the point or reef, but it’ll be too straight for the beach – stick to the structure. This is a session you don’t want to miss.
Monday morning, August 31st, keeps the energy going: 4ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy from the SE, and energy of 640 (moderate). Still very good, but the peak is Sunday.
After that, the surf fades into the first of September with smaller, clean morning swells but nothing that matches the late August run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
371 | 371 | 313 | 171 | 151 | 406 | 255 | 251 | 160 | 144 | 197 | 422 | 430 | 350 | 338 | 264 | 200 | 149 | 137 | 162 | 260 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:07PM2.56m | 6:28AM2.70m | 6:50PM2.38m | 7:10AM2.53m | 7:35PM2.20m | 7:55AM2.36m | 8:25PM2.04m | 8:46AM2.21m | 9:26PM1.91m | 9:48AM2.11m | 10:37PM1.86m | 10:57AM2.09m | 11:49PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:03PM0.27m | 00:13AM0.32m | 12:46PM0.40m | 00:54AM0.50m | 1:31PM0.54m | 1:38AM0.67m | 2:21PM0.69m | 2:27AM0.83m | 3:19PM0.80m | 3:26AM0.94m | 4:26PM0.85m | 4:36AM0.99m | 5:35PM0.82m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 6 | — | 4 | — | — | 9 | 2 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
134 | 138 | 106 | 127 | 121 | 99 | 118 | 126 | 129 | 129 | 197 | 422 | 430 | 350 | 338 | 264 | 200 | 149 | 137 | 139 | 109 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 15 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
371 | 371 | 313 | 171 | 138 | 406 | 255 | 251 | 160 | 144 | 114 | 14 | 35 | 66 | 129 | 62 | 107 | 93 | 129 | 162 | 260 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 11 | W 14 | S 15 | S 13 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 13 | SW 15 | SW 22 | WSW 6 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
21 | 19 | 8 | 163 | 151 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 7 | 3 | 35 | 18 | 3 | 60 | 60 | 133 | 87 | 84 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Tree Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Tree provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Tree can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Tree 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 (The Tree) 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 The Tree 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Golfo de Nicoya? If you are looking for accommodation near The Tree, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Golfo de Nicoya, consider staying in Tejar which is 45 km (28 miles) away. Other places in and around Golfo de Nicoya where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include San Rafael Abajo which is 45 km (28 miles) away, Esparza, Chacarita and Quepos.











