- Home
- ...North America
Costa Rica- Playa Nosara
Conditions at Playa Nosara in November
November: A Return to Fall Clarity
November is the light at the end of the tropical storm tunnel. Average height eases slightly to 1.3m, but the period remains a solid 12.5 seconds while the SSW/SW sectors still control 83% of the wave rose - SSW at 64.7% and SW at 18.4%. The window is more focused than the winter months, and the slightly smaller swell means a less intimidating, more rippable version of the rainy-season juice.
The defining shift is the return of the trades. NNE and NE winds combine for 35% of observations, and with ENE and E adding another 15%, the offshore flow is the most consistent since May. Ideal winds register at an impressive 62%. Combine that with manageable swell height and focused SSW direction, and November delivers some of the cleanest, most user-friendly surf of the year. Rain decreases to 4.06mm/day and water temperature stays at 27.8°C.
Many locals consider November the best month of the year overall: the hurricane-season chaos is gone, the trades are back, and the beach has had months to build up sandbars. It is a great time to be on a performance shortboard at Playa Nosara.
Average Spot conditions at Playa Nosara in November
Swell history for November
Wind history for November
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Playa Nosara during November. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Playa Nosara for your next trip in November.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Playa Nosara for November. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Playa Nosara.