Playa Matapalo - surf spot statistics

Playa Matapalo in Costa Rica offers consistent surf year-round, with ground swells dominating nearly every month (92-100% occurrence), ensuring reliable wave energy. The swell size averages 1.0-1.1m in the early and late months (January-March, December) but builds to 1.4m from May through November, peaking in the mid-year period. Wind conditions show a clear seasonal split: January-April has less favorable winds (38-47% good conditions), while May-December sees significant improvement, with the best winds from June to September (71-75% good conditions). The sweet spot for surfers is between May and November, combining larger swells (1.3-1.4m) and offshore-friendly winds (63-75% favorable). June through September stands out as prime time—consistent 1.4m ground swells and 71-75% clean wind days create ideal surfing conditions. Early season (January-April) still delivers waves, but smaller swells and onshore winds reduce quality. October-November offers a strong compromise with solid swell size and 64-67% good winds before dropping slightly in December. Advanced surfers targeting bigger, cleaner waves should prioritize the mid-year window, though Matapalo remains surfable year-round thanks to its high groundswell consistency and limited flat spells.

April at Playa Matapalo offers consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.2m and a solid period of 14.8s, ensuring well-formed, powerful waves. The dominant swell direction is from the SSW (62.4% of waves in the 1-1.5m range), providing clean, angled energy for quality rides. While the average swell size is moderate, there are occasional larger sets, with 10.7% of SSW swells reaching 1.5-2m and a few bigger peaks (0.6% at 2-2.5m). Wind conditions are favorable 47% of the time, primarily light to moderate speeds (0-20kph) from the SW to SSW—ideal for offshore or cross-offshore flow that keeps waves clean. However, stronger winds (20-30kph) can occur, particularly from the SW and SSW, which may occasionally create chop. Overall, April delivers reliable, mid-sized surf with good shape and decent wind conditions, making it a solid month for intermediate to advanced surfers seeking quality waves without extreme size.