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.

November at Playa Matapalo delivers consistent, high-quality surf with a dominant SSW swell direction, providing clean and powerful waves. The average swell height is 1.3m, paired with a strong 13.8-second period, ensuring well-formed, groomed waves with ample energy. Around 64% of the time, winds are favorably light to moderate (mostly under 20kph) from the S to WSW, creating offshore or cross-shore conditions that enhance wave shape. The swell distribution shows the best waves in the 1-2.5m range, with SSW swells making up the majority—57% of waves in the 1-1.5m range and 16% in the 1.5-2m range, offering ideal performance conditions for intermediate to advanced surfers. Wind speeds above 20kph are rare, occurring less than 10% of the time, minimizing blown-out sessions. Expect reliable, hollow rights and lefts with minimal crowd pressure, making November one of the prime months for surfing Matapalo.