🇨🇷 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

Pavones

One of the longest left-hand waves in the world

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Small 2.8ft surf — with 11s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — cross-onshore wind affecting quality

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's SMALL

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 202° — matches the ideal 200° window for this spot

Swell Period

11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

2mph cross-shore — not ideal but surfable if wind is light

Season

September is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

2.8ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

11s

Mid-period

Wind

2mph

CROSS-SHORE

Water

87°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

60%

Primary Swell

2.4ft @ 11.4s

SSW 202°

Secondary Swell

1.3ft @ 11.1s

WSW 241°

10 Day Outlook

2.8ft

TODAY

Sep 12

(16s)

2.1ft

TMRW

Sep 13

(15s)

2.0ft

MON

Sep 14

(14s)

2.0ft

TUE

Sep 15

(18s)

2.2ft

WED

Sep 16

(19s)

2.2ft

THU

Sep 17

(17s)

2.2ft

FRI

Sep 18

(15s)

2.2ft

SAT

Sep 19

(14s)

2.2ft

SUN

Sep 20

(13s)

2.1ft

MON

Sep 21

(19s)

Best this week: today — 2.8ft

Best next week: MON Sep 21 — 2.1ft

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)2.7ft

ICON (35%)3.2ft

GFS (20%)2.2ft

Model confidence65%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

Pavones is a legendary left-hand pointbreak on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula. On a big south swell it produces rides of over 1km — one of the longest waves in the world. Jungle, wildlife, and perfect waves in one of the most remote surf destinations in Central America.

The Break

The main Pavones point — a long left that peels for hundreds of metres on a good south swell. Take off deep and ride as far as your legs will take you.

Ideal Conditions

S-SW swell 6-10ft, light offshore winds, mid tide

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Sep

Trip Planner

Pavones Quick Strike

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into San Jose (SJO). Domestic flight or long drive to the Osa Peninsula. Stay at a jungle surf lodge.

Saturday

Full day Pavones if swell is up. Spot monkeys and scarlet macaws between sessions.

Sunday

Morning session, begin the journey back to San Jose.

Osa Peninsula Week

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive San Jose, travel to Pavones.

Day 2

Full day Pavones — score as many long rides as possible.

Day 3

Explore Corcovado National Park — one of the most biodiverse places on earth.

Day 4

Back to Pavones if swell is still running.

Day 5

Day trip to Zancudo beach — mellow waves and incredible scenery.

Day 6

Snorkel the Golfo Dulce — whale sharks and dolphins.

Day 7

Final session, travel back to San Jose, fly home.

Local Knowledge

Pavones is remote — bring cash, the nearest ATM is far away.

The rainy season (May-Nov) brings the best swell but also daily rain — plan accordingly.

Wildlife is everywhere — watch for crocodiles near river mouths.

The jungle lodges are basic but beautiful — embrace the off-grid experience.

Rent a 4WD — the roads to Pavones are rough.