Quepos - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - March)

During the heart of the dry season, the trade winds relax and the offshore flow from the north-northeast quadrant becomes more regular. Swell from the SSW and SW continues to wrap into the SW-facing beach, but now with cleaner surface conditions. Average wave heights hover around 1.0 - 1.1m with long periods of 12-14s, providing fun, rippable waves on the sets. The percentage of ideal offshore wind peaks at 26-28%, making this the most reliable window for quality surf.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & November)

The transition months see a gradual increase in average swell height to 1.2-1.3m, while the period remains solid at 12-14s. However, the percentage of offshore wind drops to 24-25%, and onshore breezes from the SW become more dominant. Swell from the SSW and SW still provides plenty of energy, but you'll need to pick your windows carefully. Late April and early May often deliver punchy waves before the full onset of the wet season.

Low Surf Season (June - October)

The rainy season takes over, bringing a higher frequency of onshore winds from the SSW and SW – the worst possible directions for Quepos. Although average swell heights climb to 1.3-1.4m with long period of 13-14s, the choppy, wind-affected surface quality drastically reduces surfable opportunities. The percentage of ideal offshore wind falls to 22-23%. Only the rare combination of a strong SSW swell and a brief offshore wind event (usually from the NE) can produce clean, powerful waves.

January: Consistent but Clean

January kicks off the year with an average swell height of 1.0m and a strong average period of 12.4s, indicating long-period groundswells. The dominant swell direction is SSW (69.8%) with a significant secondary peak from SW (27.6%) – both ideal for Quepos. Winds, however, are often onshore: SW (19.4%), SSW (11.9%), and WSW (14.1%) are the most common, which degrade wave quality. Offshore flow from the N, NNE, NE, ENE, and E accounts for only 17.6% of observations, all within light 0-10kph. The result is a surf spot that sees plenty of swell but is often plagued by a light bump. Still, when the early morning NE offshore sets in, the waves become clean and rippable, making the first few hours of daylight the best bet.