Costa Rica Surf Report -> Daily Reports, Waves, breaks, Maps, Pics, Swell Information & Surf Forecasts

COSTA RICA SURF FORECASTING TOOLS

Costa Rica Wave Models

Probably the most used tools of surf forecasters are the various wave models produced by maritime agencies of the US Government (ie NOAA, US Navy). These are computer generated models that compile global weather data from sources like weather satellites, ships at sea and intelligent weather buoys to produce wave height forecasts. This information is critical for for trans-oceanic shipping and travel. Surfers have utilized these models to graphically view storms and the waves they produce. Some models like the one on the left (US Navy) show swell direction as well as height. Predictions extend out to 6 or more days but loose accuracy as the time is increased.

Click here to see the US Navy 3rd Generation WAM · OR ·
Here for The NOAA WaveWatch III - animated model

Costa Rica Weather Maps & Satellite Images

Once waves start traveling across the ocean there are a number of factors that can influence when they arrive at your beach and the conditions once they do. Keeping a close eye on the weather patterns that can effect the swell is important. Pressure systems that lie between the wave source and you will change the waves as they pass. Areas of high pressure will reduce wave height and intersecting storms can cross up or blow a swell out. There are litteraly hundreds of on-line sources for weather; NOAA, FNMOC and METOC are all US government agencies offering detailed information and analysys. Weather.com, Intellicast.com and AccuWeather.com are more general.

Click here to load weather forecasting web site by : AccuWeather.com

Costa Rica Tide Predictor

In many places the tide shift can radically affect the shape, power and quality of the waves. On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica the difference between high and low tide can be 10 foot at times so it is always important to know what the daily tides are and what tides work best for the break you are surfing. Use this resource to print out a tide chart for your surf trip - in advance. Some surfers plan trips when there is a new or full moon in order to take advantage of the maximum tidal change.

Click here to load the tide prediction web site by :
Dean Pentcheff at the Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina

Costa Rica Buoy Reports

One of the best ways to check the current swell conditions is to view buoy reports. The US Coast Guard maintains buoys around the US / Hawaii and for a while these were some of the only buoys that could be accessed over the internet. In the 'ole days' surfers tuned to weather radios to hear local coastal buoy and maritime reports. Lucky for us now there are a number of global intelligent buoys and Costa Rica is surrounded by them. Buoyweather.com is the easiest place to view this information and they even offer a 4-5 day wave forecast.

Click here to load Buoyweather.com 's Costa Rica buoy page.

Costa Rica Surf Report - Link Directory

 SURF FORECASTING & REPORT SITES 

Wetsand / Wavecast - Wetsand's Central America forecast - a great resource site for surfers.
WaveWatch - A fairly new site with great information - very easy to navigate.
La Jolla Surfing - The Windansea gang's classic surf forecasting site.  
Nicaragua Surf Report - Daily updates, lots of hollow waves.

 WEATHER SITES 

FNMOC (US NAVY Fleet Numerical Meterology & Oceanography Center) - WAM & Various satellite imaging products.
NOAA (US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) - All the weather you'll ever need.
US National Hurricane Center - Global tropical storm action.
Weather.com - General world weather information.
Intellicast - General world weather information.
AccuWeather - MORE General world weather information.
USGS World Earthquake Map - Costa Rica has earthquakes and a couple active volcanos - check it out.

 GOOD LINK DIRECTORIES on OTHER SITES

La Jolla Surfing - This weather links page here is excellent and has links to everything!!