Within the protected boundaries of Santa Rosa National Park — one of the oldest and largest national parks in Costa Rica — two surf breaks sit largely unchanged by the tourism development that has transformed most of the Guanacaste coast. Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point are known to dedicated surfers worldwide. What’s less widely understood is how remote they actually are, why the only practical way to reach them is by boat, and what the boat ride itself entails.
Where They Are
Santa Rosa National Park occupies a large portion of the northwestern tip of Guanacaste, along the coast between Playa del Coco and the border with Nicaragua. The park protects both a significant area of dry tropical forest (one of the largest remaining in Central America) and the coast and marine environment for several kilometers offshore.
Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) is a right-hand beach break that peels along a crescent beach backed by forest and the park’s protected land. The wave is consistent, powerful, and works best with a north-northwest swell. The rock itself — a sea stack rising from the beach — is the landmark that gives the break its name.
Ollie’s Point is a point break 5 km north of Witch’s Rock, named for Oliver North (for reasons that became part of Guanacaste surf lore in the 1980s). The right-hand point at Ollie’s is regarded as one of the most consistent breaks in Costa Rica — long, makeable walls on a good swell that allow rides of several hundred meters when conditions align.
Both breaks face northwest, which means they pick up north Pacific swell well and can be flat when the swell is primarily southwest. The best conditions typically arrive during dry season (November through April), when the north Pacific storm activity generates reliable groundswell.
Why You Need a Boat
The land access to both breaks requires permits from Santa Rosa National Park, a long and rough 4x4 drive into the park interior, and additional hiking. On a good surf day, navigating that access alone can take half the day.
By water from Playa del Coco, Witch’s Rock is approximately 90 minutes and Ollie’s Point is about 2 hours — a coastal run through some of the most scenic untouched coastline in Guanacaste. The park’s marine zone is part of the journey: no roads, no buildings, no development. Howler monkeys can often be heard from the water when anchoring near the beach.
The boat also solves the equipment problem. Surfboards on the boat, not strapped to a roof rack on a dirt road. Drinks, shade, and a shaded deck between sessions. And the crew manages everything about the day so you focus on surfing.
The Break Conditions
Witch’s Rock works for intermediate and advanced surfers when there’s swell running. The beach break has hollow sections and can produce excellent barrels. It’s less predictable than Ollie’s in terms of where the best peaks are forming, but on a solid northwest swell, it’s one of the most rewarding beach breaks in the country.
Ollie’s Point is more forgiving in terms of long wall time — the point break structure creates longer rides and cleaner faces than the beach break at Witch’s. Intermediate surfers who can trim and turn on a running wall get more usable wave than at Witch’s. Advanced surfers can push it on the steeper inside sections.
Both breaks can hold moderate crowds when surf conditions are perfect and multiple boats arrive simultaneously. Our crew plans departures to reach the water at the right tide and swell window, which typically means leaving Coco before most other boats are on the water.
Our Surf Tour
The Surf Tour runs 9 hours — 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM — covering both Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point with time at each. We run a small group with a 4:1 instructor-to-student ratio and a CPR-certified crew. Surfboards are included; all levels are welcome from complete beginners (who get extensive instruction and use the inside wave at Witch’s) to experienced surfers who want a proper session at a legendary break.
Kids are welcome from age 5. For younger or less experienced surfers, the surf instructor manages their position in the water and ensures they’re working appropriate sections of the break while stronger surfers have access to the full wave.
What Else You’ll See on the Water
The run from Coco through Santa Rosa’s coastal waters is consistently a wildlife show. Spinner dolphins frequently run alongside the bow. Sea turtles surface regularly in the protected zone. Frigatebirds and boobies work the coastline. The forest running to the water’s edge is home to spider and howler monkeys visible from the boat. Even guests who come primarily for the surfing consistently mention the coastal run as a highlight.
Planning a surf trip to Witch’s Rock or Ollie’s Point? Book the Surf Tour and we’ll take care of everything from Coco.