Salsa Brava
Puerto Viejo · Caribbean, Costa Rica · Reef break
Local time
13:00
Data source
Preview
Wave height
2.3m
Excellent · 92/100Primary swell
1.9 m
12s · W
Wind
3 km/h
Onshore · E
Sea
18.2°C
3/2 mm suit
Tide
Rising
-1.1 m · High 19:00
Forecast integrity.
Every recommendation carries its source state, model coverage and sampling context.
Model agreement
—
Comparison unavailable
Cross-model consensus
The primary forecast remains available without a cross-model signal.
Wave spread
—
Period spread
—
Horizon
—
Marine
Deterministic preview guidance
Wind & weather
Deterministic preview guidance
Tide context
Modelled preview phase
Nearby buoy
Independent observation used when a suitable station is available.
Cleaner signal needed
WAIT
Hold for a fresher or better-aligned window.
Why this call.
A conservative read of forecast quality, independent observations, model spread and the exact break profile.
Best window
17:00–20:00
Epic · 1.4–1.4 m · ideal tide fit
Model agreement
Comparison pending
A single-model forecast is available without a cross-check.
Observed ocean
Checking nearby stations
Looking for an independent real-ocean signal.
Break profile
Spot calibrated
Salsa Brava · <1 km model sample · 45% coverage
Higher bars mean a cleaner model signal
Spot intelligence.
Salsa Brava is a seasonal, expert-only reef. Caribbean swell can rise quickly and the shallow impact zone leaves little margin.
Profile source · Visit Costa Rica Caribbean surf guideCalibrated geometry
Faces NE · 60°
Clean offshore axis SW · Advanced profile
Wave
Heavy right-dominant reef barrels
Shallow coral reef
Swell window
NE–E
1.0–3.0 m profile range
Clean wind
SW–W offshore
Applied to wind scoring
Tide window
Mid to high · reef dependent
Profile-aware timing
Know before you paddle
Live conditions and local advice always override this profile.
Hourly forecast
The next 48 hours
Tide intelligence
Read the water.
Tide phase, speed and range interpreted through this break's own profile, with offshore-current context and buoy verification.
Water level now
Low · rising
-1.1 m
relative to MSL
Gentle rise
+0.09 m/h
High · 19:00
In 6 hours
2.3 m
Mesotidal
0.43 km/h
Flowing SE
Spot tide profile · Calibrated
Mid to high · rising
More water over the reef is the conservative timing baseline for this powerful Caribbean break.
Profile source · SWELLRADAR Costa Rica calibrationHigh
28 Mon · 19:00
+1.1 m
Low
29 Tue · 01:00
-1.1 m
High
29 Tue · 08:00
+1.1 m
Low
29 Tue · 14:00
-1.1 m
Tide sync windows
Best upcoming tide phases for this break
Tide fit only · waves and wind scored separately
28 Mon
16:00–18:00 · +0.4 m
29 Tue
04:00–06:00 · +0.3 m
30 Wed
05:00–07:00 · +0.6 m
Tides and currents use the Météo-France global ocean model via Open-Meteo at roughly 8 km resolution. Sea level includes tide and atmospheric effects and is referenced to global mean sea level, not a local chart datum. Coastal accuracy is limited; never use this for navigation.
7-day outlook
Pick your day.
Model: SWELLRADAR preview model
Today
2.3 m
12s · W
Excellent · 92
29 Tue
1.7 m
12s · W
Excellent · 89
30 Wed
2.3 m
10s · NW
Good · 83
Nearby breaks
Keep exploring.
The break
Reef break
Advanced. Works best with NE–E swell.
Timing
SW–W offshore
Mid to high · reef dependent. Re-check local observations and the lineup before you paddle out.
Data note
Fallback preview
Wave guidance, tide phase and offshore currents are modelled unless a nearby buoy observation is shown.