Last updated on January 12th, 2024 at 09:46 pm
If you plan to surf in Witch’s Rock, you came to the right place. In this post, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including surf seasons, surfer’s tips, and a complete description of the surf in Witch’s Rock, Costa Rica.
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About Surfing in Witch’s Rock
Witch’s Rock is definitely one of the most special and mystical places you will ever surf. However, before you go surfing at Witch’s Rock as part of your surf trip to Costa Rica, you must carefully plan your steps to score it at its best. This spot requires a day trip. It is remote, isolated, and “hard to get” on one hand, but on the other, it is so worth it.
Witch’s Rock, or “Roca Bruja” as the locals call it, is named after the huge rock that pops out in the deep water. The rock, together with the river that shapes the sandy bottom, creates a perfectly formed wave to ride. In addition, it is an incredibly beautiful beach, maybe the most amazing one in the whole country.
The beach itself is located in an area called Playa Naranjo, right inside Santa Rosa National Park, in the north pacific side of Costa Rica. For that reason, it is so hard to get there; even when you do, there is nothing here. To clarify, no accommodations, no restaurants, no nothing. So, if you decide to make the trip and go for a Witch’s Rock surf session, you must bring food, drinks, and lots of sunscreen.
What Kind of Waves Will You Surf in Witch’s Rock?
Witch’s Rock’s surf scene was documented first in the movie “Endless Summer 2” and revealed this top-quality break to the world. This beach break is powerful, open, and consistent year-round. Furthermore, the offshore winds from the mountains blow here almost regularly, creating epic tube rides. In other words, if you make an effort to get here, you get yourself the perfect surf spot. In addition, due to its location, Witch’s Rock is never too crowded.
When surfing in Witch’s Rock, you can choose between 2 different breaks. The first one is “El Burro” (The Donkey), right in front of the big rock. This break produces powerful barrels, and it is highly consistent. The second one is “The River Mouth”, which is more mellow and user-friendly. Therefore, depending on the conditions on any given day, you can choose where to surf. Either way, surfing in Witch’s Rock will make you a happy surfer.
Note- Sharks and Crocodiles hang out here often, especially near the river area. However, as bad as it sounds, there were never any attacks, so don’t let it spoil your party; just be aware of it.
Surf Seasons in Witch’s Rock
Luckily, you can surf in Witch’s Rock all year long. This beach receives consistent swells in both the dry and the wet season. As always, it depends on the swell; we never know exactly what we will get.
The best time to surf Witch’s Rock is between mid to high tide. However, you can also surf it during low tide; it will simply close out more often.
Can Beginners Surf in Witch’s Rock?
Generally, Witch’s Rock is not a place for beginners. The waves are hollow, powerful, and require some experience to deal with. Of course, on small days, anyone can try his luck, but if the waves are above 3 feet, there are other beaches that are more suitable for beginners, like Tamarindo.
How to Get to Witch’s Rock?
If you want to surf in Witch’s Rock, you will have to put in some effort, as it is not easy to reach. In fact, Your 2 options are either by 4×4 drive or by a boat ride from Tamarindo.
If you choose the 4×4 driving trek, you can expect a 4-hour drive from Tamarindo on a terrible road (especially in the wet season). To enter Santa Rosa National Park, you must pay about $10 for an entry fee. Then, you can choose to spend the night in the camping area. In that case, you will pay an additional $2 per person. Remember, there is nothing there, so you must bring it all, but at least you can hang out with monkeys, sea turtles, and many other wildlife.
Your second option is to take a boat trip from Tamarindo. In this case, it will cost you about $300-$400 for the whole day (for the entire boat), and it is probably the easiest way to do it. You can also climb the big rock, take pictures of it, and even jump from it, which is lots of fun. In addition, you can tell the boat driver to take you to Ollie’s Point, a world-class right-hand point break just a bit north from there.
Conclusion- A Final Thought
To sum up, Witch’s Rock is definitely one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica. With beautiful nature and epic barrels, it is a surf paradise. Although it is difficult to find, the waves make it all worth it.
