Surf spots in Tamarindo

6 spots within 10 km of Tamarindo: 5 beach breaks, 1 point break. 1 suit beginners.

Best spots today in Tamarindo

Intermediate: Playa Junquillal (Epic, 1.3 m, offshore around 06:00), Playa Avellanas (Good, 1.2 m, offshore around 17:00), Playa Langosta (Good, 1.2 m, offshore around 17:00)
Beginners: Tamarindo Beach (Good, 0.8 m, offshore around 16:00), Playa Grande (Fair, 1.0 m, offshore around 16:00)
Advanced: Playa Junquillal (Fair, 1.3 m, offshore around 06:00), Playa Negra (Fair, 1.3 m, onshore around 11:00)

Forecast updated 20 Oct, 01:03 UTC.

The spots

Playa Avellanas · beach break, intermediate, best on W/SW/WNW swell with E/ENE/NE wind, mid tide. Long sand-and-reef beach south of Tamarindo with several peaks, including the reef peak known as Little Hawaii; picks up more swell than Tamarindo and holds size well.
Playa Langosta · beach break, intermediate, best on W/SW/NW swell with E/ENE wind, mid tide. River-mouth and reef-fringed beach just south of Tamarindo; sharper, faster waves than the main Tamarindo beach, best on a rising mid tide.
Tamarindo Beach · beach break, beginner, best on W/WNW/NW swell with ENE/E/ESE wind, all tides. The town beach itself, with sandy peaks on west-northwest swell and an east offshore wind. Busy most days with lessons and tourists, so go early or pick a smaller day…
Playa Negra · point break, advanced, best on WNW/SW swell with E wind, mid tide. A shallow, rock-lined right-hand reef point on the Guanacaste coast known for fast, hollow sections. Sharp rock and shallow water make it suited to experienced surfers.
Playa Grande · beach break, intermediate, best on WNW/W swell with E/SE wind, all tides. A long protected beach next to Las Baulas national park with consistent peaks near the Tamarindo estuary. Beach access is closed at night in nesting season.
Playa Junquillal · beach break, intermediate, best on SW/W swell with E/NE wind, high tide. Open, quiet beach break south of Playa Negra; consistent peaks on any decent groundswell with few people in the water, but strong currents when big.

When to surf in Tamarindo

Best months for intermediate surfers: June, August to October. For beginners: June to October. The water goes from about 28 °C in February (Boardshorts / rash vest) to 30 °C in May (Boardshorts / rash vest). 1 of the 6 spots suit beginners, such as Tamarindo Beach.

Month	Rideable days	Good days	Beginner days	Water
Jan	7	1	8	28 °C
Feb	7	1	8	28 °C
Mar	8	2	8	30 °C
Apr	9	3	9	30 °C
May	15	5	12	30 °C
Jun	20	14	16	30 °C
Jul	14	7	13	30 °C
Aug	16	7	14	30 °C
Sep	17	9	17	30 °C
Oct	16	6	13	29 °C
Nov	11	4	9	28 °C
Dec	7	1	7	28 °C

Days per month at the best third of the 6 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.

Questions

What are the best surf spots in Tamarindo?

The best-known are Playa Avellanas, Playa Langosta, Playa Grande, Playa Negra. In all, 6 spots lie within 10 km: 5 beach breaks, 1 point break.

Where can beginners surf in Tamarindo?

Tamarindo Beach: sandy, more forgiving spots. Surf them on small days, ideally with a lesson or near the lifeguards.

When is the best time to surf in Tamarindo?

For intermediate surfers June, August to October. For beginners June to October.

What wetsuit do I need to surf in Tamarindo?

The sea goes from about 28 °C in February (Boardshorts / rash vest) to 30 °C in May (Boardshorts / rash vest).