Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point · Costa Rica
Surfing Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point)
A point break in Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point, Costa Rica, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate / Advanced
- Size3-8 ft
- Best monthsMay-Oct
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Tucked inside the wild Santa Rosa National Park, Ollie's Point is a right-hand pointbreak that sits comfortably above average and became surf-lore as the boat-trip wave in The Endless Summer II. It takes a solid south swell or a medium west to switch on, and when it does the reward is a run of ruler-edged walls that reel down the point begging to be carved, with a low-tide section that hollows out into makeable cover-ups.
The wave's predictability and forgiving shape make it a favourite for dialling in turns rather than surviving, which is exactly why it draws a crowd of pangas the moment the forecast lights up. The only way in is an expensive boat ride from Playas del Coco, and the park gate only opens in the dry season.
Board a fast shortboard. Hazards are more jungle than reef: getting bogged on the approach, the odd small croc and shark, and mosquitoes the size of your thumb.
10.851212, -85.799755 · Big S or mid W swell, offshore · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point)
Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) is at its best from May to October. Conditions it likes: Big S or mid W swell, offshore. This is how the year looks across Guanacaste:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Prime | Dry season, offshore mornings, sunshine, clean NW-fed 3-4ft waves almost daily |
| May to July | Good | Green season begins; bigger SW groundswell, afternoon showers, fewer crowds |
| August to October | Good | Peak SW swell and empty line-ups, but the wettest, muddiest roads |
| Nov | Quiet | Transition, rains easing, swell easing, a quiet shoulder month |
Waves near Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Naranjo (Witch's Rock) | Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point | Beach Break | Advanced | 6 km |
| Playa Grande | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 58 km |
| Tamarindo | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 62 km |
| Langosta | Tamarindo | Beach Break | Intermediate | 63 km |
| Playa Avellana | Nosara & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 71 km |
| Playa Negra | Nosara & the south | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 77 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point surf guide →
A week here costs from about $822 with flights from Europe, or around $1,596 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point): common questions
When is the best time to surf Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point)?
Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) works best from May to October. Ideal conditions: Big S or mid W swell, offshore.
Is Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) good for beginners?
No. Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) is a wave for intermediate and advanced surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Playa Grande in Tamarindo, about 58 km away.
How crowded is Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point)?
Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point)?
Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) is in Witch's Rock & Ollie's Point, in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica (10.851212, -85.799755). The nearest wave we cover is Playa Naranjo (Witch's Rock), about 6 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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