Playa Tivives - surf spot statistics

Playa Tivives in Costa Rica benefits from consistent ground swells year-round, with percentages rarely dipping below 90%, ensuring reliable wave activity. The best months for surfers are typically December through March, when favorable wind conditions peak—December (59% good winds) and January (62%) stand out as the most surf-friendly. During this period, the swell size averages 0.8–0.9m, offering manageable waves ideal for intermediate surfers, though not overly powerful. Ground swells dominate almost exclusively, minimizing wind swells that can degrade wave quality. From April through November, conditions become more challenging due to increasing onshore winds (bad wind conditions rising to 61–69%), particularly in May–September. While swell size increases slightly (1.0–1.3m), the higher frequency of unfavorable winds creates choppier, less clean waves. March and November serve as transitional months, with improving winds in November (47% good winds) but still moderate swell sizes. For surfers prioritizing clean, rideable waves with minimal wind interference, the early dry season (December–February) is optimal, despite slightly smaller swells. The rest of the year offers larger swells but demands tolerance for stronger onshore winds, making it better suited for experienced surfers who can handle less predictable conditions.

In March, Playa Tivives experiences surfable conditions with an average swell height of 0.9m and a favorable swell period of 14.5s, indicating well-organized, powerful waves. The dominant swell directions are SSW (82%) and SW (10%), delivering the majority of waves in the 0.5-1.5m range, which is ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. Larger swells (1.5-2m) are rare, occurring less than 1% of the time. Wind conditions are decent, with 47% of days offering favorable offshore or light cross-shore winds (mainly from NNE and NE directions). However, stronger onshore winds (SSW/SW) occur around 30% of the time, potentially creating choppy conditions. Expect the best sessions early in the day before winds pick up, especially on SSW swells with NE winds. The spot works best on mid-to-high tide due to the beach orientation. Consistency is moderate, with rideable waves likely on most days, though size remains relatively small.