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.

October: The Turning Point

October sees the first real signs of the dry season’s return, though ideal wind remains low at 19%. Swell continues at an average 1.4m with a period of 12.8s. The swell direction shows a strong SSW component (62.9%) but a notable increase in SW (35.6%) and WSW (1.2%) – a broader angular spread that can wrap into the bay from different directions. Height distribution: 46.9% in 1-1.5m, 13.7% in 1.5-2m, and 0.5% in 2-2.5m. While onshore winds still dominate, the increasing frequency of north quadrant flows during synoptic setups can bring clean, offshore conditions. October is a month of potential, where each cold front or high pressure ridge can flip the switch to amazing surf.