Playa Avellanas (Icacal)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Playa Avellanas (Icacal) is a large, clean-sand beach known for variety: multiple surf takeoff zones and several distinct breaks spread along the coastline. Wave conditions are reported as beach-break with both left and right options, and the spot can suit a range of intermediate-to-advanced riders depending on which section you choose. Typical ride length is described as short in some reports, while other accounts note longer rides (about 50–150 meters) when the right peak and swell quality line up. Water and bottom are consistently described as mixed: clean water over sand with scattered volcanic rocks and reef sections. This matters for both safety and riding—rocks and reef can be hard and fast, and low tide can reveal additional hazards that are less obvious at higher water levels. Currents are an important caution: rip currents and especially stronger flow near the river mouth are repeatedly mentioned, so plan your entry/exit accordingly and avoid testing exposed areas if you are not confident. Wind opportunities exist for kitesurfing as well as surfing and related water sports. Wind directions commonly span SSW through NW, with the dry season (December through April) generally offering the strongest and most consistent conditions. Reported wind speeds are roughly 15–25 knots, with moderate gustiness and some potential turbulence near the tree line. Kitesurfing is possible but framed as more demanding due to reef/rock hazards and wind angle—advanced caution is emphasized. For on-the-water decision-making: beginners are typically directed toward the main parking/restaurant area rather than reefier river-mouth or more powerful sections. First-timers should not go out alone, and conditions can change substantially with tide, including the appearance of hidden rocks at low tide. Emergency care is available in Tamarindo or Santa Cruz, and spot-level rescue/lifeguards are not reported, so rely on local guidance and conservative planning.
- Multiple distinct surf peaks along one long beach
- Clean water with sand-and-reef bottom
- Strong wind window for the dry season with SSW–NW directions
- Beginners typically guided to the main parking/restaurant zone for safer access
- Multiple distinct surf peaks and a wide sandy beach with varying skill-suitable sections.
- Clean water and generally good wave quality/consistency are reported.
- Wind windows include a dependable range with SSW–NW directions during the dry season.
- Reef/rock hazards and shallow areas (especially at low tide) can make entries/exits unforgiving.
- Rip currents are reported near the river mouth; some sections have heavy currents.
- First-timers should not go out alone; beginner access is typically limited to the main sandy/parking zone.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Wind direction spans SSW through NW; dry season often aligns with offshore/side-offshore trade-wind patterns, while the green season can bring more sea-breeze influence.
- Reliability
- Moderate; strongest and most consistent during the dry season (Papagayo winds).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Mostly sandy beach with rocky/reef pockets.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf; working swell reported as starting at less than 1 m and holding to larger sizes in some descriptions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is not explicitly quantified, but reef exposure and mixed conditions suggest a moderate texture at times.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space and multiple takeoff zones; some sections are rocky and some are more sheltered near the main access.
Through the year
Generally empty on weekdays; busier on weekends.
September to October is the peak of the rainy season; rainy season is also described as best for surf conditions.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible, but reef/rock hazards and wind angles can make it best suited to more experienced riders. Some descriptions frame it as less crowded than nearby Tamarindo.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible in open water sections, but extremely cautious approach is advised due to shallow reef/rock formations.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Playa Avellanas is described as a surf-rich beach with several distinct breaks. Conditions are reported as good-to-excellent depending on section, with options ranging from beginner-accessible sandy takeoffs to more challenging reef-influenced and river-mouth waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, N, NW, W, SW, S, W
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Reported as working on all tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — A long sandy beach with multiple takeoff zones; some stretches are more sheltered for beginners near the main access, while other sections are reefier/less forgiving.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality is reported as excellent; another source describes it as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power reported as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Reported as mixed; another description also notes peeling character at suitable sections.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides depend on peak and swell; generally short-to-medium depending on section.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Sources conflict on typical ride length: one description says short and punchy/short (<50 m), while another gives longer ranges (about 50–150 m) depending on the peak and swell. General guidance: many breaks are relatively short and punchy, with some beach-break sections longer and smoother for longboarding.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Playa Avellanas (Icacal) in the full forecast view.
Playa Avellanas (Icacal) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- ESE106°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2610 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.4 m12s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Playa Avellanas (Icacal) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 1.1–1.4 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
- Rocks
- Reef
- Submerged rocks and shallow reef sections (especially at low tide)
- Rip currents/occasional rip currents near the river mouth
- Heavy currents at the river mouth (reported)
- Hidden rocks at low tide
- Potential crocodile sightings near the river mouth (reported)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence is reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No spot-level rescue availability reported; regional guidance indicates rescue is limited and relies on nearby services.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are located in Tamarindo or Santa Cruz (local guidance). National emergency number is 911 (regional baseline).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local community presence is described as mild; respect the local lineup at the more concentrated peaks.
Rules of the spot
First-timers should not go on their own. Respect surf etiquette at the more concentrated peaks; avoid exposed/reef sections if you are not confident.
- Beginners are usually directed toward the main parking/restaurant zone rather than the more powerful reef/river-mouth sections.
- Low tide reveals many rocks that can be hidden at high tide.
- If you’re new, access the spot with support (avoid going out alone).
- The safest practice zones tend to be the wider sandy sections near the main beach access area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tamarindo
- Nearest Town
- Avellanas
- Parking
- There is a large parking lot near the main beach access area; parking is available near the main entrance and nearby restaurants.
- Public Transport
- Limited bus service; private transport or 4x4 rentals are primarily used due to unpaved roads.
- Access
- Reachable by car from Tamarindo via inland roads and a dirt-road approach to the beach area; a bumpy dirt-road approach is reported.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various accommodations including eco-lodges and boutique hotels within walking distance or a short drive.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants near the main beach access area; bar options are also reported.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available for surfing and SUP; kitesurfing and windsurfing rentals are scarce locally and usually require transport from Tamarindo.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by a few local surf camps and boutique hotels for guests (regional baseline).
- Gear Repair
- Minor surfboard repairs can be found in the village or nearby Tamarindo.
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 Playa Avellanas (Icacal)?
The best overall months at Playa Avellanas (Icacal) are December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Playa Avellanas (Icacal)?
Playa Avellanas (Icacal) works with SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Playa Avellanas (Icacal)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Playa Avellanas (Icacal): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Playa Avellanas (Icacal) suitable for?
Playa Avellanas (Icacal) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.