Witch's Rock
Witch's Rock is Costa Rica's most famous wave—a perfect A-frame beach break inside Santa Rosa National Park that gained worldwide fame in Endless Summer II. Getting here requires either a boat trip or a rugged 4WD adventure through the park, adding to its mystique. The wave breaks in a stunning, pristine setting with dramatic rock formations and dry tropical forest behind. When Pacific swells pulse in, the peaks are hollow and perfectly formed. A bucket-list destination for adventure surfers.
Witch's Rock surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 270°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.1m - 2.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Boat from Playas del Coco. Also accessible via 4WD through national park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Witch's Rock?
Witch's Rock is a beach break in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, with peaks that run both left and right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Witch's Rock?
The rock is named for the howling sound strong offshore winds make against it, and by some estimates it is over 130 million years old. Santa Rosa National Park was created in 1972 to commemorate the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa, which lasted 14 minutes.
What swell works best at Witch's Rock?
Witch's Rock picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.1 to 2.9m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Witch's Rock?
An E wind is dead offshore at Witch's Rock, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Witch's Rock?
Witch's Rock has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Witch's Rock?
The most reliable run of swell at Witch's Rock comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. SW swell season April-Oct. Year-round waves.
How cold is the water at Witch's Rock?
The water at Witch's Rock averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Witch's Rock good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Crocodiles in estuary. Remote location in Santa Rosa National Park.
How do I get to Witch's Rock?
The nearest airport on our list is LIR. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $200 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat from Playas del Coco. Also accessible via 4WD through national park.
What other surf spots are near Witch's Rock?
The closest breaks we track are Playa Hermosa Nicaragua (47 km), Playa Remanso (51 km) and Playa Grande (54 km), handy when Witch's Rock isn't working. We track 6 spots around Guanacaste in total. Fun fact: it's the most northerly break we track in Costa Rica.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
SW swell season April-Oct. Year-round waves.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Playa Hermosa Nicaragua
🤫 Best kept secret • Powerful beach break • Uncrowded perfection
Playa Remanso
👶 Beginner paradise • Sheltered bay • Zero hazards
Playa Grande
🐢 Turtle sanctuary • Powerful hollow • Conservation surf
Tamarindo
🌴 CR's famous town • Beginner paradise • Complete package
Playa Maderas
🇳🇮 Nicaragua's heart • Consistent peaks • Budget surf paradise
Playa Avellanas
🐷 Beach pigs fame • Lola's legendary • Quality upgrade
Plan a trip around Witch's Rock
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