Henrys (Tamarindo Coast)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Mixed, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Henrys is a central Tamarindo reef break known for consistent surfing when the swell direction and tide height line up. It’s described as exposed and primarily produces long left-hand waves, with a right also mentioned nearby depending on conditions. The main requirement is offshore wind preference: easterly winds are favored for cleaner, better-shaped surf. Conditions are also reported to improve with a high tide (and more broadly mid to high tide), since lower water can expose the reef more and increase the risk of impact on shallow sections. Safety-wise, this is a reef spot with lava reef hazards. The takeoff and riding area involve reef bottom and dry reef, with sharp/submerged rocks and occasional strong currents near the Rio Matapalo estuary mouth. Avoid crossing the estuary at dead low tide and be mindful of wildlife near the river mouth. Timing-wise, the spot is most often associated with July to August and December to March, with January highlighted as a best month. Crowds can range from light to often crowded depending on season, with Tamarindo’s wider tourist popularity affecting how busy the water can get.
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf
- Offshore winds from the east improve wave shape
- High tide preferred for safer access over the reef
- Long left-hand rides reported (up to ~150 meters on best days)
- Consistent reef-break surf when swell and tide line up.
- Offshore winds from the east improve wave shape.
- Long left-hand rides can occur on the best days.
- Reef hazards (lava reef bottom/dry reef and sharp rocks).
- Shallow sections over reef, especially at lower tides.
- Currents near the Rio Matapalo estuary mouth can be strong.
- Crowding can be an issue during peak periods and holidays.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Easterly offshore Papagayo influence in winter/peak dry-season months; otherwise sea-breeze influence typical.
- Reliability
- High in dry season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady (no quantified gustiness).
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Some protection from hills in Tamarindo bay
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Mixed, Medium waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed/more rocky composition reported; reef and rocks dominate the bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Beach access in central Tamarindo near the reef outcrop south of Pico Grande and Pico Pequeño; paddle out from Tamarindo beach (or southern end of Playa Grande).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty for a reef paddleout/entry.
Through the year
Crowd pressure can increase during North American winter and holidays; can also be described as light at the spot outside those periods.
September and October are the peak of the rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break in central Tamarindo with consistent reef waves; known for long lefts (and also a punchier right nearby depending on swell/tide). Works best with offshore winds and a high tide.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, NW
- Optimal Tide
- High — Also described as best at mid to high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as an exposed reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds from the east; offshore improves wave shape.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average in one dataset and good in another.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed/mixed peeling behavior reported; peeling described in another dataset.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — On the best days the left can run for about 150 meters with multiple turn sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Left can produce long rides (~150m) with multiple turn sections on the best days; typical rides reported closer to 50–100m depending on conditions.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) in the full forecast view.
Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- E96°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.2 m12s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.0–1.2 m with a period of about 12s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reef bottom
- Dry reef
- Sharp reef
- Submerged rocks
- Strong currents near the Rio Matapalo estuary mouth
- Occasional crocodiles near the river mouth
- Crowds from Tamarindo
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; emergency response relies on regional coverage and nearby medical services.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical clinics are located in Tamarindo.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as mild; reef breaks can be crowded and prioritize those already on the wave.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; prioritize locals and those already on the wave.
- High tide is the preferred tide window for surfing here.
- Offshore winds improve wave shape.
- Avoid crossing the estuary at dead low tide due to rocks.
- Be mindful of river mouth wildlife.
- Best at mid to high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tamarindo
- Nearest Town
- Villarreal
- Parking
- Park in Tamarindo near the estuary or at the southern Playa Grande parking area.
- Access
- Central Tamarindo beach access near the south side of the main beach area; paddle out from Tamarindo beach (or Playa Grande southern end) and access near the reef outcrop.
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Extensive accommodation options in nearby Tamarindo.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and bars are located across the estuary in Tamarindo.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at surf shops in Tamarindo.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Several surf shops in Tamarindo offer board repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Henrys (Tamarindo Coast)?
The best overall months at Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) are December, January, February, March, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Henrys (Tamarindo Coast)?
Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What skill level is Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) suitable for?
Henrys (Tamarindo Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.