8Degrees Foiling | Encanta La Vida Jungle Lodge
- Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
- +1(808)366-7835 WhatsApp
- [email protected]
- www.8DegreesFoil.com
- www.Encantalavida.com
- 4/5
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Located on Costa Rica’s wild Osa Peninsula, 8Degrees offers exclusive tow-foiling adventures across some of the world’s longest and most secluded point breaks. With expert local guides, dedicated boats and jet skis, and a jungle lodge just steps from the waves, it’s a dream destination for foilers of all levels. Expect glassy conditions, endless rides, incredible wildlife and the rare luxury of having world-class waves almost entirely to yourself.
INTRODUCTION
The Osa Peninsula supplied the longest righthand point breaks, 8Degrees brought in the toys to ride them. They have a 26’ Panga boat with new 150hp engine and large shade cover, plus plenty of space to store extra foils while you sip a cold beverage. They will tow you into the zone with their Yamaha jet skis and Jet Tech sleds. Their guides know the waves inside and out and understand every tow-in angle to suit your skill level. Their jungle lodge has 11 unique rooms within steps of a 500-yard point break. They do beach pickups from in front of the lodge with run times less than 10 minutes to secluded point breaks to start your foiling day. They can also arrange beginner lessons in calmer waters. All this in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT
The Southern Zone of Costa Rica has been their home for over 30 years. They’ve discovered over three point breaks and multiple outer reef wedges for foiling, with average rides between 2-10 minutes on lines that seem to go on forever. What’s even more mind-bending is there are safe mini channels for their boat and jet skis to pull you back for more waves in one session than most people get in a year. They pride themselves on stoking all levels of foiling to match whatever size, length and type of wave you desire. There are endless possibilities on these waves to push your limits and fun factor. The best part is it’s only you on these waves. You’ll see turtles, dolphins and whales, but no people. It’s the dream! The length of your average ride is so long your legs will burn. Most people are so blown away on their first ride; even beginner to intermediate foilers get picked up with smiles so big saying that was by far the best wave they have ever foiled.
CONDITIONS
They have glassy conditions 90% of the time which makes tow and prone foiling the dream, with all-time groomed conditions to throw down the most epic turns of your foiling life. The mountain range between the Caribbean and where they sit on the Pacific creates a unique situation of clean, super-long south swell lines that seem endless. They get swell directions from 180°-230° wrapping down their point breaks. Even when the swell is small they have plenty of options to whip into a playground of possibilities to ride. There is usually a five-hour window around low tide that creates the best conditions making all their points and wedges light up for maximum opportunities.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
May to October is prime south swell season on the Osa. February to April can also be epic but is recommended for strike missions. The water is warm year round. The prone spot in front of the hotel will also have a few people surfing as it’s pretty amazing, but the tow spots you’ll have to yourself. October can be rainy but the swells are wet anyway and still pumping.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
Go on a jungle hike to see the most amazing animals on Earth – sloths, tapirs, four species of monkeys, and over 400 species of birds. Try horseback riding on the beach, waterfall hikes, medicinal plant hikes, night hikes, surfing or ziplining. The sportfishing is epic with a Panga for inshore and a proper sportfishing boat for marlin, tuna, mahi mahi and roosterfish. Whale migration runs August to October which is pretty spectacular.
Take the short internal flight with Sansa Air from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez, a 30-minute drive away, then the lodge will arrange a taxi.
Bring prone boards with around a 72cm mast and 800 wing, or tow boards small enough to sink paired with a 79-85cm mast and a 600-800 wing depending on wave size. You can also rent a mix of different setups for all levels of foiling. A helmet is recommended as you won’t be able to help pushing the limits.
Boardshorts and bikini, along with a long-sleeve rash vest.
The restaurant at Encanta La Vida is world class, using locally sourced organic ingredients prepared by incredible chefs. They grow most of their own salad greens and catch all the fish. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.
The lodge’s swim-up pool bar is bartended by their three mixologists to produce a libation of your choice. Their margaritas, made with local ingredients, will blow your mind.