Witch’s Rock & Ollie’s Point - boat trips to the Santa Rosa National Park with Deep Blue Barrels - Playas del Coco - Costa Rica

Witch’s Rock

Witch’s Rock or Roca Bruja in spanish provides world class surfing and has to be considered one of Costa Rica’s most famous breaks. It is the landmark of Santa Rosa National Park in the northern part of Guanacaste and you can only access it by boat or with a 4x4. If you’re planning a surf trip to Costa Rica, chances are that you already know about the infamous wave that was etched in surfer’s minds after the movie the Endless Summer II.

Witch’s Rock is a hollow and perfect beach break that benefits from off-shore winds year round due to the Lake Nicaragua wind effect. The main peak peels off of a river mouth and works best from mid to high tide while rising. Depending on the sandbar, the wave is usually fast and hollow going right and long with hollow sections going left. Witch’s Rock still breaks on low tide, however the waves get much hollower and some tend to closeout. There are many peaks up and down this beach that all break left and right with amazing form and consistency. Witch’s Rock is known for big, hollow barrels that you will never forget!

The year round consistency of this wave makes it a prime surf destination at any time. Witch’s Rock can handle a swell direction from Southwest all the way to Northwest. The summer season (November to April) has all day off-shore wind and an average wave size of 4-6 feet. This perfectly groomed wave has hollow but rippable walls all day long. From May to October there are bigger southern swells that average 6-8 feet, however this spot has been known to hold swell over 10ft. In this season there are off-shore winds until mid day that are generally followed by an afternoon glass session.

The wave gets its name from the massive rock sticking out of the sea behind the waves. Locals call this place “Roca Bruja” which translated into English means Witch’s Rock. The legend of Roca Bruja states that the rock was created by an old Witch, and that the sounds of the waves crashing off of the rock on a big swell are her thunderous cries. A volcano actually shot this rock out and deposited it into the ocean and created heaven on earth for surfers. Located in the Santa Rosa National Park, this break is on a secluded beach with nothing but waves, sun and a pristine ecosystem.

Ollie’s Point

Ollie’s Point or Potrero Grande in Spanish is a right hand point break located only a few miles north of Witch’s Rock. Ollie’s Point breaks with such consistency that you will think a machine is creating the waves.

This right hand point break is so perfect that most consider it to be the best wave in Costa Rica, and many think that it is one of the best in the world. The ruler edged walls can run up to 500 meters offering fast and barrelling sections that can handle up to triple overhead swells. Even though Ollie’s Point offers fast and fun rides, it is still relatively easy to surf and has a sand bottom. The predictability of the wave makes it ideal for dialling in manoeuvres and practicing some new tricks.

Ollie’s Point is blessed with the same off-shore wind pattern as Witch’s Rock and works best between low and mid tide, both rising and falling. The optimal swell direction is from the Southwest, which is the direction the majority of swells come from in Costa Rica. The point peels perfectly year round, however the bigger swells occur during May to October. The name “Ollie’s Point” comes from Military General Oliver North who used the location to smuggle weapons into Nicaragua during the war in the eighties. It was discovered by a surfer who was watching an interview with North and spotted a perfect point break in the background. What an amazing find! This wave is even more remote than Witch’s Rock and the only way to reach it is by boat. The unspoiled scenery induces a majestic feeling that you are surfing in an uncharted part of the world. Paired with Roca Bruja which works on an opposite tide, this is the ultimate experience: to surf perfect waves with beautiful surroundings all day long.