Playa Dominical • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (December - March)

Playa Dominical's year is shaped by the shifting balance between southern hemisphere groundswell and local wind. The beach faces SSW, so the reliable SSW and SW swells generated by South Pacific storms have a direct, unobstructed window into the coastline. The true surf season is dictated less by swell presence and more by wind cleanliness and rainfall.

From December through March, the Atlantic subtropical high pumps dry northeast trade winds across the region, bringing a high percentage of offshore N, NNE and NE winds. With the wind blowing from the land, Dominical's SSW/SW swell lines arrive groomed and hollow. Average swell heights hover around 3-3.5ft (1.0-1.1m) with long periods of 12.5-13.6s, producing clean, rippable waves on the sandbars. Rain drops to 1.7-4.2mm/day and water temperature sits at a bath-like 28-29°C. This is the obvious, prime window for surfers of every level.

Fair Surf Season (April and November)

The shoulder months of April and November see building or fading swell energy and a more fickle wind regime. April holds onto long-period SSW swell (14.0s) but ideal wind drops to 32%, while November sees the first return of cleaner conditions after the wet season, but with shorter-period 12.5s SSW swell. Both months offer great waves when the wind lines up, though rain increases to 3.5-6.9mm/day and consistency is lower.

Low Surf Season (May - October)

During the boreal spring and summer, the ITCZ shifts north and drenches the region with southwesterly flow. Ideal wind percentages tumble into the low-to-mid 20s, and frequent S, SSW and SW winds blow directly onshore, making the working SSW/SW swell bumpy and sectiony. Interestingly, this is the peak swell season for size: average heights climb to 4.5ft (1.4m) with periods around 13-14s, and occasional 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m) SSW pulses come straight off Southern Ocean and South Pacific lows. The biggest waves of the year occur in these months, but they often come with lumpy conditions and heavy tropical rain (6.8-7.8mm/day). Only the most dedicated surfers will find clean windows.