Surf Forecasts:
Tortuguero surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, ENE swell with 919 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tortuguero this week:
The surf forecast for Tortuguero over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tortuguero in the next 16 days are 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tortuguero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Tortuguero.
We've got a solid run of surf coming through, but it's a bit of a mixed bag with the wind and weather. The best windows are gonna be those early mornings when the wind drops out. The standout session is the morning of Thursday the 23rd of July. That's when we see a nice pulse of swell from the NE, sizein' up around 8 ft with a solid 9-second period. The energy in the water is strong (1608), and the wind is gonna be glassy. That's a proper clean session for experienced surfers, as it's a bit too much punch for the beginners. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The rest of the first week has some real promise too. Saturday the 18th of July starts it off with a 7 ft ENE swell, and a glassy afternoon sets up "very good" conditions. Sunday the 19th morning is a repeat of that glassy goodness with 7 ft swell. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st keep the quality high with clean, glassy mornings, though you'll be dodging rain. The swell energy stays moderate (around 700-800) but the shape should be good. By Wednesday the 23rd afternoon and Thursday the 24th morning, the wind goes clean again, but the swell starts to ease off a bit.
Now, the second week. The surf drops out considerably. From Monday the 28th of July through Wednesday the 30th of July, we're looking at a gap with small, weak waves. The energy dips way down – under 200 for a couple of days. It's not a complete blank, but it's not worth a dedicated paddle out. The conditions improve a little by Thursday the 30th, but it's still small.
Hold on though, because the end of the window fires up again. Friday the 31st of July is looking like another top contender. Morning and afternoon both have glassy winds and a building 7 ft to 7 ft ENE swell with a 10-second period. The energy is climbing back up into the moderate range. Saturday the 1st of August has a bit more size but some crosswind in the morning, though the afternoon turns clean offshore. The very last day, Sunday the 2nd of August, finishes off with a nice, clean, glassy morning on 6 ft swell.
Remember, that big Thursday the 23rd morning is the one to circle. The late-month swell on the 31st is also a beauty, but it's further out, so keep an eye on the forecast. We've got some good waves to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 374mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 904 | 778 | 733 | 794 | 831 | 683 | 683 | 886 | 766 | 614 | 683 | 618 | 512 | 763 | 766 | 644 | 885 | 749 | 428 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:30AM0.40m | 4:29PM0.39m | 3:32AM0.35m | 5:09PM0.42m | 4:45AM0.29m | 5:47PM0.43m | 6:11AM0.25m | 6:24PM0.44m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:02PM0.43m | 8:42AM0.18m | 7:41PM0.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:15PM0.21m | 9:47AM0.07m | 10:23PM0.19m | 10:19AM0.10m | 11:26PM0.16m | 10:47AM0.12m | 00:26AM0.14m | 11:11AM0.14m | 1:25AM0.12m | 11:31AM0.15m | 2:31AM0.10m | 11:47AM0.15m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — |
mm | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 37 | 55 | 45 | 41 | 5 | 6 | 158 | 17 | 10 | 13 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 904 | 778 | 733 | 794 | 831 | 683 | 683 | 886 | 766 | 614 | 683 | 618 | 512 | 763 | 766 | 644 | 723 | 749 | 428 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 885 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Limon | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tortuguero Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tortuguero provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tortuguero can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tortuguero 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 (Tortuguero) 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 Tortuguero 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 Limon? If you are looking for accommodation near Tortuguero, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Limon, consider staying in Puerto Limon which is 13 km (8 miles) away. Other places in and around Limon where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Siquirres which is 40 km (25 miles) away, Turrialba, Guapiles and Paraiso.
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