Manuel Antonio - surf spot statistics

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.

November: The Low Point

November is statistically the most challenging month for surf at Manuel Antonio, with ideal wind frequency bottoming out at 15%. Swell drops to an average 1.2m with a period of 12.4s. The swell is overwhelmingly from the SSW (85.3%) with some SW (14.1%). Most waves are in the 1-1.5m range (64.4%), with 9.0% in 1.5-2m and a tiny 0.2% in 2-2.5m. Onshore southwesterly winds are persistent, often making the surface bumpy and disorganized. However, the swell is still rideable, and occasional strong offshore flows from the north (often associated with passing cold fronts) can produce clean, glassy conditions. Patience and a flexible schedule are essential. When the stars align, November can surprise.