6 Best Surfing Spots Near Playas-del-Coco

Playa del Coco in Costa Rica is a popular destination for swimming, fishing, and boating but not typically for surfing. However, don’t let that deter you. During my vacation at Coco Beach, I found that while the waves here might be gentle, there are several nearby spots that offer excellent surfing conditions.

Playas del Coco serves as a perfect base for your surfing adventures. Many companies offering surfing tours are located here, making it easy to access some of the best surf breaks in the region. In this article, I’ll guide you through the key takeaways about surfing near Playas del Coco, highlight the best spots, and provide tips on the ideal surfing conditions and gear.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for gentle waves or an experienced surfer seeking thrilling breaks, the nearby surf spots have something to offer. From the famous Ollie’s Point, made legendary by the movie “Endless Summer II,” to the versatile waves at Playa Tamarindo, there’s a wave waiting for you. So, if you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and have surfing on your mind, read on to discover everything you need to know to make the most of your surfing adventure near Playas del Coco.

Key Takeaways From This Article

Playas del Coco is in Coco, a small fishing town in Guanacaste province. You’ll likely find many boats as fishermen try their luck. But is Playas del Coco ideal for surfing? I highlight a few key takeaways about surfing near Playas del Coco.

• Playas del Coco has gentle rolling waves that are unsuitable for advanced surfing. 
• Ollie’s Point, one of the surfing points near Playas del Coco, was made famous by the movie “Endless Summer II.” 
• Playa Tamarindo has the best surfing breaks for beginners, intermediate, and advanced surfers. 
• The perfect conditions for surfing are no offshore winds. 

Surfing Conditions At Playas del Coco

Surfing requires waves that you can glide on. The type of wave you’ll encounter depends on wind and weather conditions, tides, sea beds, and geographical coastline features. Playas del Coco is on the Gulf of Papagayo on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, which only experiences a few big waves. 

The beach gets gently rolling waves with a beach break. Beginners will find such waves ideal, but experienced surfers might not. Unfortunately, the sea bed at Playas del Coco has many stingrays that are very painful. 

6 Best Places For Surfing Near Playas del Coco

While Coco Beach is not the best place to catch the surfing waves, you can use it as a base to access some of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica. It’s a starting point for some surfing spots around Playas del Coco. I will highlight the seven best surfing points near Playa del Coco.

Ollie’s Point

You’ll have to take a boat from Coco to Ollie’s point as it’s not reachable by land. Ollie’s point is off Potrero Grande Beach, about 100 km from Coco Beach. It is along the Santa Rosa National Park. Ollie’s point is inhibited and has no homes, hotels, or businesses. 

The point has strong, fast, moving waves whose source is a river mouth point break. You’ll, therefore, have consistent waves on most days. The take-off point is rocky, but the strong waves can carry you to the beach. 

I recommend Ollie’s Point if you have strong surfing experience. The film “Endless Summer II” made Ollie’s Point famous. However, with no accommodation options at Ollie’s Point, you must either bring a tent and camp or stay at Playas del Coco.

Witch’s Rock

 

Also known as “Roca Bruja” in Spanish, it is a giant rock protruding from the waters. Witch’s Rock is famous among the more experienced surfers. Accessing it is challenging as it’s in a remote location. It is also known as Playa Naranjo and is part of Santa Rosa National Park. 

You can take a boat from Coco Beach to Witch’s Rock, which should take about 50 minutes. Witch’s Rock became even more famous when featured  in “Endless Summer II.” The name Witch’s Rock has several origins. 

• Sailors and fishermen used to hear a loud whistle around the rock, leading them to believe that a witch lived on it. 
• When strong off-shore winds rush through the crevices of a rock at a certain angle, they can cause a loud whistle. 
• The current and winds are strong and move the surfers. But to some people, the rock is moving. 

The best time to surf at Witch’s Rock is during the dry season between December and March. You will get consistent left, right, and A-Frame waves at Witch’s Rock. I recommend beginners refrain from surfing at this point, as it has fast and heavy waves. The current and the winds are powerful. 

Tamarindo Beach

An hour’s drive from Coco, you’ll find Tamarindo Beach. You can take a taxi, shuttle or bus. Please note there is no direct bus to Tamarindo, and the available one passes through Filadelfia, taking 2 hours and 20 minutes. Playa Tamarindo is 70km from Playa del Coco. 

It is a haven for surfers, especially beginners, as several surf camps and schools offer surfing lessons. The best time to catch more prominent, consistent waves is between April and October. Tamarindo Beach has several surf spots, as shown below. 

Surf Spot	Description
Casitas	It has 4-7 foot range waves suitable for all levels, though they can be hollows in sections.
	The spot has A-frame waveforms on the north side of the Estero River.
	Only a few people come to the surf spot.
	The break is near the estuary, which is prone to crocodiles. Hence, you’ll have to keep your eyes open.
Palmeras	It’s on the northern side of Playa Tamarindo.
	The waves are small and more suitable for beginners of shortboarding.
	There are times when no waves appear at this point.
Estero Rivermouth	It’s an exposed river mouth a short walking distance from Playa Tamarindo.
	The river mouth has consistent waves throughout the year.
	November and December have waves that can go up to about 12 feet.
	Suitable for beginners and the more advanced surfers.

Playa Langosta

It is ideal for all types of surfers due to the presence of a river mouth that promises consistent A-frame waves and swelling. Playa Langosta is south of Tamarindo Beach. However, you won’t get a good mix of waves like you would get on Tamarindo Beach. 

On the northern side of Playa Langosta, you’ll encounter the most advanced break sapo (toad). Due to the rocks, sapo is suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers. It has large swells and is less crowded. 

There is also Captain Suizo, a sound wave, and many surf schools bring their students here. Suizo faces a different direction than the other surfing spots, though the best time to surf is incoming high tide. 

Playa Grande

Driving from Playa del Coco to Playa Grande will take only 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are no direct buses, but there are transfers from Santa Cruz and Filadelfia, and the whole journey takes 3 hours. The road distance between Playa del Coco and Playa Grande is 68 km. 

If you want a less crowded surfing place, go to Playa Grande. However, it’s suitable for more advanced surfers because the main break can be enormous. The main break at Playa Grande has a lot of lefts and rights and barrelling sections, which will be rough for beginners. The waves can go to a height of 5-7 feet. 

However, beginners can try their luck at Casa Mirage break, 100 meters north of Hotel Las Tortugas. Palm Beach Estates, which is to the north of Playa Grande, has several good breaks. 

Playa Allevanas

Playa Allevanas is Just 60 km from Coco, it has the most consistent waves in Costa Rica. No matter which day you visit this beach, you will have a good time surfing. Playa Allevarna boasts four exciting breaks. 

• Little Hawaii is the most advanced and popular. Little Hawaii happens on the northern end of Playa Allevana near the mouth river at Hacienda Pinilla. It has solid and powerful waves that break over the reef. The waves here are ideal for all surfers. 
• Parqueo: These waves are near the parking lot and are similar to those at Palo Seco, though a bit gentler. Hence, beginners and intermediate surfers will find this spot ideal. The waves are surfable even during the rainy season. 

• Purruja is a left-hand reef break. On good days, the break delivers excellent waves for more experienced surfers. 

• Palo Seco: Breaks to both sides of the beach in front of a dead mangrove tree. The best time to surf is in high tide to get a medium swell. It suits all surfers but delivers its best waves during the rainy season. 

What Are The Best Conditions for Surfing? 

The surfing conditions might differ depending on whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer. While less or no wind is ideal for a beginner, a more advanced surfer should handle varying conditions. However, a beginner might need help knowing the best conditions for surfing. 

Hence, I highlight the best conditions for surfing. 

• Wind direction: Off-shore winds that blow from the land to the ocean are more suitable than on-shore winds. They are less bumpy, which makes it easier to surf. Offshore winds break more predictable, making them easier to read. Surfers who like to make aerial manoeuvers with their surfboards prefer a bit of on-shore winds. 

• Swell size is the size of the wave measured in meters or feet. 3-9 feet( 1-3m) waves are more suitable for advanced surfers. I recommend less than a 1-meter wave swell for beginners. 

• Swell period: The time a swell takes, measured in seconds. Eight seconds or longer gives a good swell for surfing. Less than that, the waves will be very unappealing. 
• Swell direction lets you know how the waves will be hitting your area. 

I recommend surfing in the morning hours. Due to the land cooling at night, you get more offshore winds in the morning. 

Surfing Equipment and Gear

While the conditions I have mentioned make surfing ideal, you’ll also need to pick the best equipment and gear carefully. The primary surfing equipment is the surfboard. There are different surfboards: long, short, wide, narrow, pointed, or round nose. The surfboard you choose will depend on your height, weight, experience, wave spot, and size. 

Fins dictate how you’ll be able to control yourself on waves. You can add between 1 and 5 fins to your surfboard. One fin is suitable for small waves. You can use a finkey to install or remove the fins. 

A leash is another essential piece of equipment that helps to attach your ankle to the surfboard. The cord should be 50-60 cm longer than your surfboard. Don’t use a torn, cracked, or damaged leash. 

Swimwear is what you wear when surfing. You’ll need clothes that will keep you warm in cold water and prevent sunburn while making you feel confident when surfing. There are special wetsuits for when the weather is unfriendly. 

Reef shoes are also necessary if you choose to go surfing in Reefbreak. They protect from sliding from the board and cuts. Choose the right size to avoid losing the shoe while surfing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How big are the waves at Playa del Coco?

Most waves are small and do not exceed a height of 0.9 feet. The waves are ideal for swimming or those who want to wade through the waters. Even when the waves are more prominent, they are only suitable for skimboards and not surfing.  

2. Can I find surf lessons in Playa del Coco? 

Yes, Papagayo Fishing is one of the companies that offers surfing classes. The surf lessons are mainly at Playa Iguanita, only in low tide. Their professional instructors can handle learners of all ages. 

Flaming Adventures has professional instructors who can train you in surfing. 

3. How many lessons does it take to surf?

If you’re a fast learner, one to three lessons are enough. The next step is to take the wave. However, to become an expert, you must spend long hours surfing the ocean. 

You’ll need to learn more about the currents, swells, and tides, and that will have to be in water and not in class.

If you’d like to embark on an unforgettable surf adventure during your stay in Costa Rica, you should also check out the10 best beaches near Playas del Coco

Conclusion

While Playa del Coco might not have the most ideal conditions for surfing, you can try out bodyboarding or paddleboarding. Fortunately, I visited several beautiful surf sites near Playa del Coco. They might be suitable if you’re a beginner, though!

Which are your best surfing spots near Playa del Coco? Please share your experiences and recommendations.