Witch’s Rock Surf Camp’s ideal location makes us central to 10 unique surf spots in Tamarindo and surrounding areas.
Sign up for our Beginner Surf School, our Intermediate Surf Program, or our Advanced Surf Tours to be taken to the perfect spots for your level, style, and taste. Weather you want to learn to surf, or you are an advanced surfer who just wants to get maximum barrels, there is a spot nearby for you.
This list will give you an idea of where we surf in Guanacaste and for what specific reasons. As you’ll see, there’s a wide variety of spots, which offer waves of different shapes and sizes.
Take a look, decide what works for you, and get stoked!
Ollie’s Point
Beginner to Advanced Surf Break
Made famous by Robert August in The Endless Summer 2, Ollie’s Point is one of the best right-hand point breaks in Costa Rica.
Approximately 60 km. to the north of Tamarindo, Ollie’s Point is only accessible by boat and is about 2 hours away from Tamarindo.
Due to it’s somewhat sheltered location, Ollies needs a big southwest swell and low tide to turn on.
When it’s doing it’s thing, surfers can expect 300+ meter rides with barrel sections along the way.
Witch’s Rock
Intermediate to Advanced Surf Break
Witch’s Rock is located in the Santa Rosa National Park approximately 55 km to the North of Tamarindo and is home to some of the best surf in the country. Known as Roca Bruja by the locals, Witch’s Rock was also made famous by The Endless Summer 2.
This spot works best with a southwest to northwest swell, mid to high tide, and offshore winds. There are a few different peaks at Witch’s Rock that help spread out the crowd. Witch’s Rock is truly a world-class wave and is reserved for advanced surfers.
Playa Grande
Intermediate to Advanced Surf Break
Located just across the estuary to the north of Tamarindo is the remote beach of Playa Grande. Playa Grande is part of the Las Baulas National Park and is a famous nesting ground for Leatherback Turtles.
A 25 minute car ride, 35 minute walk, or just a 5 minute boat ride from Tamarindo brings you to the main peak. A series of rock formations off the coast redirect swells and set up long A-frames along the beach that can produce amazing barrels on the incoming tide.Due to its unique southerly orientation,
Playa Grande magnifies all south swells while also picking up those from the northwest. This feature makes Playa Grande one of the most consistent spots in Costa Rica.
Surf this wave with the Intermediate Surf Program or on our Advanced Surf Tours.
Playa Tamarindo
Beginner to Advanced Surf Break
There are multiple waves in Tamarindo catering to all skill levels, making Tamarindo one of the most versatile surf spots on the Guanacaste peninsula.
Directly in front of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp to the north is the Tamarindo rivermouth. This is the premier spot when its breaking and can be one of the best waves in the area on a northwest swell with long, perfect, low tide, right-hand barrels.
Just south of the rivermouth is the Tamarindo beachbreak, a series of gentle peaks that break on mid to high tide. This stretch of beach, directly in front of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, is the perfect beach to learn how to surf.
Further to the south are a series of lava rock outcroppings with various waves that break best on a mid to high tide.
Tamarindo is perfect for all types of boards and styles, but when there is significant swell, the conditions are best for intermediate to advanced surfers.
Playa Avellanas
Beginner to Advanced Surf Break
Moving south is the remote beach of Avellanas. Only a 25 minute car ride or 15 minutes on the boat from Tamarindo, Avellanas is a local favorite due to its close proximity and variety of waves. Directly in front of the main parking lot and next to Lola’s restaurant (named after the pig who can be seen wallowing in the tide) is a quality left-hand wave that has been compared to Indonesia on strong south swells. Looking to the north, a giant Willow tree can be seen growing out of the sand which marks the next peak, a fun A-frame that comes to life on both southwest and northwest swells.
Another 200 meters to the north will bring you to the Avellanas river mouth which can produce some long rides and big barrels on a sizable swell. A shallow rock on the outside forms a peak that peels all the way to the inside where advanced surfers can test their barrel riding skills. Finally, on the other side of the river mouth to the north is Little Hawaii, a rock/reef break that can handle waves up to 20 feet! The wave breaks almost a quarter mile out and is the only surfable peak when the swell is really pumping.
Marbella
Advanced Surf Break
This beautiful black sand beach is located 30km south of Tamarindo and is one of the best beach breaks in Costa Rica.
There are no signs to Marbella so if you do not have specific directions from a local, it is almost impossible to find. About 1 hour in a car or 40 minutes on the boat, Marbella is known for its picturesque waves and perfect left and right barrels.
A rock/reef formation about 500 meters offshore crosses up the incoming swell and creates powerful A-frame peaks up and down the beach with some of the heaviest lips in the country. Marbella works with any tide on both northwest and southwest swells and is reserved for advanced surfers.
Playa Ostional
Intermediate to Advanced Surf Break
Located to the south of Marbella, Ostional is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
From Tamarindo, Ostional is about 1 and a half hours to the south in a car or a little more than 1 hour in boat. Travelers from around the world come to see thousands of turtles on the beach AND surf the amazing waves.
Ostional is a powerful left and right beachbreak that can offer long tubing waves and rippable faces for intermediate to advanced surfers when the swell is on. Best surfed on the incoming tide
Playa Guiones
Beginner to Advanced Surf Break
Located in the laid back town of Nosara just to the south of Ostional,
Playa Guiones is a consistent left and right beach break for surfers of all abilities. 2 hours to the South of Tamarindo, Guiones offers long, workable, forgiving waves that can provide all surfers with a memorable experience.
The flat bottom creates long sloping waves that allow for turns, airs, and even barrels on the right swell. Due to its location on the coast, Guiones picks up north and south swells and works well on all tides making it perfect for a full-day trip.
