Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Rivermouth (Icacal) is a rivermouth sandbar surf break known for long, powerful sessions with lefts and rights. Reports consistently describe ride lengths commonly in the 150 to 300 m range when the swell and tide match, and waves can peel along the sandbars. The hazards are a key part of the spot: dangerous rips/rip currents are reported at the rivermouth, and there are additional dangers from rocks and reef sections in the surf zone (including submerged rocks that can be more exposed depending on tide and sandbar position). Access also requires walking from the main parking area toward the rivermouth, so plan entry/exit carefully. Crocodiles are specifically warned about: they are reported as frequently seen in the Estero Avellanas area near the rivermouth. Conditions can therefore be high-consequence, even on days when the surf looks clean from shore. While the spot is primarily framed as a surfing location for experienced riders, kitesurfing potential is also noted when winds align—especially with the West/Southwest wind directions listed for the best setups. Overall, this is best treated as an advanced, surf-first launch where safety planning matters as much as wave selection.
- Sandbar-style rivermouth surf with both lefts and rights
- Long rides commonly around 150 to 300 m
- Wind directions include West/Southwest sets suitable for wave-oriented kitesurfing when conditions align
- Access requires walking about a half mile north from the main parking area
- Crocodiles and strong rip currents reported as major safety concerns
- Strong sandbar-style surf with a regional reputation for long rides (150 to 300 m).
- Clean tropical water and warm temperatures year-round.
- Wind can align for kitesurfing, especially when sea-breeze/west setups occur.
- Rips/rip currents reported at the rivermouth.
- Submerged rocks/reef sections and shifting sandbars (especially near low tide) can make the entry risky.
- Crocodiles reported frequently spotted in the rivermouth/estuary area.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 12–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Wind described as offshore/side-offshore in the dry season and as afternoon sea breezes during the rainy/green season; spot-specific daily thermal window was not precisely documented.
- Reliability
- Moderate seasonal consistency reported; no statistical wind probability found for the candidate spot.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — One source reports gusts as light; another describes winds as steady.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Medium waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Sandy with rock/reed sections; sandbar-style rivermouth bottom with shifting sandbars.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized waves reported for the spot.
- Launch
- Big — Long beach with a river-mouth surf zone; access via a parking-lot entry near the main beach entrance, then a walk toward the rivermouth.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate difficulty due to access/walk and navigation of rocks and sandbar/rivermouth turbulence.
Through the year
Regularly crowded with surfers, especially when the swell is good.
May to November (rainy season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is reported at the rivermouth with wind directions matching the West/Southwest set and a focus on wave-oriented riding when conditions align. One source frames it as wave-oriented with peeling waves during the rainy-season sea-breeze pattern.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
A regional-classic rivermouth sandbar break with lefts and rights. Sandbar quality is described as strong and capable of producing long, powerful, peeling rides when swell and tide align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Sources report best tide as mid and high; additional notes indicate rising and falling tides can work.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach rivermouth surf zone with limited protection; shifting sandbars and submerged rocks/reef affect the line and safety.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality reported as excellent (and also good in another source).
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful surf reported for the rivermouth sandbar break.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape reported; also described as peeling at times when swell/tide align.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peeling speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides reported, commonly 150 to 300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical reports describe long rides, commonly in the 150 to 300 m range; waves can peel for significant distances along the sandbars when swell and tide align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) in the full forecast view.
Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- E99°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2610 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.4 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.1–1.4 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Rips/rip currents
- Strong currents
- Crocodiles (reported around the rivermouth/estuary)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported; rely on self-rescue and local community/rescue availability.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability and lack of formal centralized surf rescue, with professional rescue primarily available in nearby Tamarindo.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are reported in Tamarindo (about 30 minutes by car). National emergency number is 911 (regional context).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported; crowds described as likely when conditions are good.
Rules of the spot
Standard surf etiquette applies; crowds are likely when the surf is up.
- Access to the rivermouth zone involves a walk from the main parking area.
- Expect the best surf window around mid to high tide.
- Walk from the main parking area toward the rivermouth (about a half mile north) to access the break.
- Use caution around the rivermouth due to reported dangerous rips and shifting rocks/reef sections at low tide.
- Be extremely cautious of crocodiles reported near the Estero Avellanas (rivermouth area).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tamarindo
- Nearest Town
- Playa Avellanas
- Parking
- Official public parking lot near the main entrance/restaurant area; paid parking reported. Access to the rivermouth involves walking from the main parking area toward the break.
- Public Transport
- Limited bus service regionally; private shuttles/4x4 rentals are primary due to unpaved roads.
- Access
- Accessible via a dirt road to Playa Avellanas, followed by a walk toward the rivermouth (about a half mile north from the main parking area).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several boutique hotels and cabinas in the Playa Avellanas area; cabins/villas/small hotels reported more broadly in Avellanas area.
- Food & Drink
- Beachfront restaurants near the main entrance/parking area are reported.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental for surfing/surfboards is reported near the main beach entrance; kitesurf/windsurf rentals are described as scarce locally and often require transport from Tamarindo.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as offered by some local surf camps and accommodations in the region.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair is described as available regionally; specialized kite/sail repair may require travel.
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 Rivermouth (Icacal)?
The best overall months at Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) are December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal)?
Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) works with S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m². The typical wind range is 12–20 kts.
What skill level is Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) suitable for?
Playa Avellanas Rivermouth (Icacal) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Surfing: Advanced.