Surfing Quepos – Manuel Antonio

If you are a surfer or want to learn to surf while you are here, then you should know a little about the surf breaks in the area. Here is a quick guide from north to south:

Playa Bejuco

A beach break that has hollow waves and works best at two hours before high tide going up to high tide. It has strong rip currents and no lifeguards so it is only for advanced surfers. 

Isla Damas

Another beach break but you need a boat to get to it. It works best right around high tide, but at lower tides on bigger swells can produce heaving barrels—definitely an expert break when there is swell. 

Quepos River Mouth

The jetty from the marina blocks a lot of swell so when it’s too big everywhere else, this break can produce long lefts and some rights that go up into the river mouth. It works at low and mid tides, but at high tide it can be mushy and polluted at times from the outfall in town. Not a beginner break due to the rip currents produced by the river mouth, but it can be fun for long boarders.

Manuel Antonio (Playitas)

At the far north end of the beach this stretch of sand has better formed waves and is a foot or two bigger than the rest of the coast. It is best an hour before to an hour after high tide. Watch out for boulders that stick up in the shore break. It also is a favorite spot for locals, so respect them in the lineup. Intermediate or advanced only.

Manuel Antonio

The rest of the beach works well around high tide, and there are lifeguards at the southern end. There are lots of guys on the beach giving lessons and renting boards, . This is most often a beginner break, but if there is swell watch out for heavy rip currents.