Tamarindo tide chart

Every high and low tide for Tamarindo, with the surf window we would pick for each day. Kept by instructors who are on this beach every morning.

Updated September 8, 2026. Covers September 2026 to December 2026, from the official IMN tide table.

Tide tables for September 2026 to December 2026

Pick a month below and find your date. Every high and low tide is listed with its time and height.

Full tide tables

Heights in metres and feet. Times are local Costa Rica time. Today is highlighted.

Date High and low tides Coef.
1 Tue H 05:06 2.6m L 11:21 0.4m H 17:26 2.4m L 23:32 0.4m 72
2 Wed H 05:50 2.6m L 12:08 0.4m H 18:13 2.3m 61
3 Thu L 00:19 0.4m H 06:38 2.5m L 12:58 0.4m H 19:04 2.3m 52
4 Fri L 01:10 0.5m H 07:31 2.5m L 13:54 0.5m H 20:02 2.2m 48
5 Sat L 02:08 0.6m H 08:30 2.4m L 14:56 0.5m H 21:07 2.2m 49
6 Sun L 03:14 0.6m H 09:35 2.4m L 16:02 0.5m H 22:16 2.2m 55
7 Mon L 04:24 0.6m H 10:43 2.4m L 17:09 0.5m H 23:24 2.2m 65
8 Tue L 05:33 0.6m H 11:49 2.4m L 18:11 0.5m 77
9 Wed H 00:27 2.3m L 06:36 0.5m H 12:50 2.4m L 19:08 0.4m 88
10 Thu H 01:23 2.4m L 07:34 0.4m H 13:45 2.5m L 19:59 0.3m 97
11 Fri H 02:14 2.5m L 08:26 0.3m H 14:35 2.5m L 20:47 0.3m 102
12 Sat H 03:01 2.6m L 09:14 0.3m H 15:22 2.5m L 21:31 0.3m 100
13 Sun H 03:45 2.6m L 09:59 0.3m H 16:07 2.5m L 22:13 0.3m 94
14 Mon H 04:28 2.6m L 10:43 0.3m H 16:50 2.4m L 22:55 0.4m 82
15 Tue H 05:09 2.6m L 11:26 0.4m H 17:32 2.3m L 23:35 0.5m 68
16 Wed H 05:51 2.5m L 12:10 0.5m H 18:15 2.2m 53
17 Thu L 00:17 0.6m H 06:33 2.4m L 12:54 0.6m H 19:00 2.1m 40
18 Fri L 01:00 0.7m H 07:17 2.3m L 13:41 0.7m H 19:48 2.0m 31
19 Sat L 01:47 0.8m H 08:05 2.1m L 14:32 0.8m H 20:41 1.9m 27
20 Sun L 02:41 0.9m H 08:59 2.0m L 15:28 0.9m H 21:41 1.9m 30
21 Mon L 03:42 1.0m H 09:59 2.0m L 16:27 0.9m H 22:43 1.9m 39
22 Tue L 04:47 1.0m H 11:01 2.0m L 17:24 0.8m H 23:41 2.0m 52
23 Wed L 05:49 0.9m H 11:59 2.0m L 18:16 0.8m 67
24 Thu H 00:32 2.1m L 06:43 0.8m H 12:50 2.1m L 19:02 0.7m 82
25 Fri H 01:18 2.2m L 07:30 0.7m H 13:37 2.2m L 19:45 0.6m 94
26 Sat H 02:00 2.3m L 08:14 0.6m H 14:20 2.3m L 20:26 0.5m 101
27 Sun H 02:40 2.4m L 08:56 0.4m H 15:01 2.3m L 21:06 0.4m 103
28 Mon H 03:21 2.6m L 09:37 0.4m H 15:43 2.4m L 21:47 0.4m 99
29 Tue H 04:02 2.6m L 10:19 0.3m H 16:25 2.4m L 22:29 0.3m 90
30 Wed H 04:44 2.7m L 11:02 0.3m H 17:09 2.4m L 23:13 0.3m 79

Tide predictions: Instituto Meteorológico Nacional / SINAMOT-UNA, 2026 official table for the Pacífico Norte (Nacascolo) station, the nearest official station to Tamarindo. Sunrise, sunset and the tidal coefficient are computed for Tamarindo; the coefficient is estimated. Astronomical predictions do not account for weather, so actual water levels can differ.

Which tide suits which break

The same tide is good news at one beach and bad news at another.

Tamarindo Beach (Main Break)

Beach Break · All levels

Best: Mid to High Incoming Avoid: Very Low Tide

The main Tamarindo beach break works best on an incoming mid-tide. At low tide, shallow sections expose sand bars and make the waves close out quickly. High tide softens the break and suits beginners perfectly.

Pico Pequeño

Beach Break · Intermediate

Best: Mid Tide Avoid: High Tide (closes out)

Located at the south end of Tamarindo beach. Mid-tide creates the best barrel sections. Often less crowded than the main peak.

Playa Grande

Beach Break · Intermediate to Advanced

Best: Mid to Low Tide Avoid: Very High Tide

Just north of Tamarindo (10 min by boat or 30 min drive). A longer, more powerful beach break that handles lower tides better. Consistent waves with fewer crowds.

Surf lessons at Playa Grande

Playa Avellanas

Beach Break / Reef · Advanced

Best: Low to Mid Tide Avoid: High Tide

30 minutes south of Tamarindo. Famous "Little Hawaii" section works best at lower tides when the reef is exposed enough to shape the wave. Not suitable for beginners.

How to read this for surfing

Find the high and low times

Each row lists the predicted water height at every turning point. Highs are the peaks, lows are the valleys. Tamarindo gets two of each on most days.

Aim for the two hours before a high

For beginners that is the sweet spot at the main break: the water is rising, the waves have shape, and depth is increasing. We highlight that window for you above.

Read the coefficient

It estimates how much water moves that day. Above 90 means a big range and stronger currents. Below 40 is a gentle day, often easier for a first lesson.

Combine it with swell and wind

Tide is one piece. The best sessions line up a good tide, offshore wind and clean swell, which is why we run lessons in the early morning when the wind is usually still.

We already plan every lesson around this.

You do not have to work out the window yourself. Tell us your dates and we book you into the best tide we have.

Book a Surf Lesson

Tide questions

What type of tides does Tamarindo have?
Tamarindo has mixed semidiurnal tides, meaning two high tides and two low tides most days, with unequal heights between the two cycles. Over the period on this page, high tides run between about 1.9 m and 2.8 m, and the lowest lows drop to around 0.1 m.
What tide is best for surfing in Tamarindo?
For beginners, an incoming mid-tide is ideal at Tamarindo's main beach break. This gives waves enough shape to ride while keeping the water deep enough to avoid the sand. The best window is typically the 2 hours before high tide. For intermediate surfers, low to mid-tide on an outgoing cycle can produce hollower, more powerful waves.
Where can I find the exact Tamarindo tide times for today?
Right here. This page publishes the full predicted tide table for Tamarindo, day by day, with the exact time and height of every high and low tide. Today's tides are shown at the top of the page and the whole period is in the monthly tables below.
How accurate is this tide chart?
The tide times and heights come from the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN / SINAMOT-UNA) 2026 official table for the Pacífico Norte station at Nacascolo, the closest official station to Tamarindo, about 15 km north with the same tidal regime. Sunrise, sunset and the tidal coefficient are computed for Tamarindo; the coefficient is an estimate calibrated against published September values. Predictions are astronomical and do not account for wind or swell, so real water levels can differ by a few centimetres.
What is the tide coefficient?
It is a number, usually between 20 and 120, that describes how much the tide will move that day. High coefficients around 90 to 110 happen near new and full moons and bring large ranges and strong currents. Low coefficients near 30 mean a calm day with little movement. The values on this page are estimated from the lunar phase.
Does tide affect surf lessons in Tamarindo?
Yes. Our instructors plan every lesson around the tide window. We never put students in the water at an unfavourable tide. If the main break is not working, we move to a spot that suits the conditions that day.
What is the best time of day to surf in Tamarindo?
Early morning, from sunrise until about 10:00. That is when offshore winds groom the wave faces. Afternoon sessions are possible but are more often affected by onshore wind that makes the surface choppy.

Related guides

Best Time to Surf Tamarindo Is Tamarindo Good for Beginners? Surf Lessons in Tamarindo Tamarindo Surf Camp San José to Tamarindo Surf Trip Packing List

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