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Manuel Antonio - surf spot statistics
Manuel Antonio seasonal overview
Best Surf Season (December - April)
The dry season brings the Northeast trade winds that blow offshore across our SSW-facing beaches, creating clean, glassy conditions. Swell from the deep South Pacific is consistent, with average heights around 1.0 to 1.2m and long periods of 12-14 seconds. January through March are the peak months, with ideal wind frequencies above 25% and most waves in the fun, rippable 0.5-1.5m range. The combination of offshore wind and long-period groundswell makes this the premier time to score Manuel Antonio.
Fair Surf Season (May - August)
As the Intertropical Convergence Zone shifts north, the trade winds weaken and onshore southerly and southwesterly flow becomes more common. Ideal wind drops to 19-22% of the time, but swell actually builds, averaging 1.3-1.4m with periods of 13-14 seconds. The SSW and SW swells are stronger, often reaching pumping 1.5-2m heights. When an early-morning or late-evening offshore window aligns with these bigger swells, the waves can be spectacular. It is a gamble, but the payoff is worth it.
Low Surf Season (September - November)
The transition back to dry season is slow, with onshore winds still prevalent, especially in October and November when ideal wind falls to 15-19%. Swell heights decrease slightly to 1.2-1.4m but remain rideable. November is the most challenging month due to persistent southerly winds. However, September shows a hint of improvement with ideal wind at 24%, and occasional strong offshore flows from the north can still deliver clean, long-period waves. Patience and a close eye on the forecast are key.
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Conditions at Manuel Antonio in February
February: Prime Time Offshore
February continues the excellent trend of the dry season, with the highest ideal wind frequency of the year at 28%. Winds from N, NNE, NE, and ENE blow offshore at light speeds, often grooming the swell to perfection. Swell remains strongly from the SSW (70.8%) and SW (27.0%), averaging 1.0m with a period of 12.9s. The wave height distribution is similar to January, with 0.5-1.5m dominating. The slightly longer period adds extra power and push, making for punchy waves that hold their shape beautifully under offshore conditions. This is prime time to score Manuel Antonio at its best.
Average Spot conditions at Manuel Antonio in February
Swell history for February
Wind history for February
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Manuel Antonio during February. 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 Manuel Antonio for your next trip in February.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Manuel Antonio for February. 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 Manuel Antonio.