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.

September: Transition Towards Better Times

September brings a glimmer of hope as the trade winds begin to reassert themselves. Ideal wind climbs back to 24%, offering more frequent offshore windows. Swell heights average 1.4m with a period of 13.1s. The swell mix includes SSW (70.6%) and SW (27.9%), with a small contribution from WSW (1.3%). The height distribution is still robust: 49.7% in 1-1.5m, 19.3% in 1.5-2m, and 1.0% in 2-2.5m. The increase in SW and WSW swell indicates more westerly generated energy. The wind is still tricky, but the trend toward more offshore is encouraging. Surfers willing to gamble will find clean, powerful waves.