🇨🇷 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA

Pavones

One of the longest left-hand waves in the world

GOOD

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

3ft waves — with solid 15s groundswell — hitting at the ideal angle — Clean 2mph offshore winds grooming the surface

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's GOOD

Swell Direction

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

Swell Period

15s — strong, long-period groundswell. Maximum wave power and quality.

Wind

2mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face

Season

July is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

3.1ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

15s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

2mph

OFFSHORE

Water

86°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

100%

Primary Swell

3.0ft @ 12.1s

SSW 200°

Secondary Swell

1.6ft @ 9.7s

WSW 243°

10 Day Outlook

2.7ft

TODAY

Jul 28

(18s)

2.6ft

TMRW

Jul 29

(16s)

2.4ft

THU

Jul 30

(15s)

2.2ft

FRI

Jul 31

(14s)

2.0ft

SAT

Aug 1

(13s)

2.1ft

SUN

Aug 2

(14s)

2.0ft

MON

Aug 3

(15s)

2.0ft

TUE

Aug 4

(13s)

1.9ft

WED

Aug 5

(14s)

1.9ft

THU

Aug 6

(15s)

Best this week: today — 2.7ft

Best next week: THU Aug 6 — 1.9ft

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)3.0ft

ICON (35%)3.5ft

GFS (20%)2.5ft

Model confidence80%

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: Jul

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.