By Wendy Anders

Boaters, swimmers and other ocean-goers be forewarned: High tides and high waves are predicted for the next few days in both the Pacific and Caribbean of Costa Rica.

The University of Costa Rica’s Oceanography Department says the juncture of tonight’s full moon together with the approaching autumnal equinox will generate the second highest tides of the year this week.

The tides will begin to be higher on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast starting Monday, reaching a maximum height on Wednesday around 3:30 a.m. with 3.27m waves predicted for Puntarenas and 3.67m in the southern Golfito area. High waves will return Wednesday afternoon around 3-4pm, although somewhat diminished.

In Limón the tides will be high starting today, reaching a maximum of 45cm on Wednesday around 1:00 pm, said the UCR oceanographers. Seas are expected to swell in the Caribbean as the week progresses, possibly reaching as high as 3m next Monday.

Local low pressure systems in the Pacific and Caribbean of Costa Rica are generating high swells and choppy seas. A bottom swell generated from the North Pacific of our planet is arriving at the Island of the Coco where there is also strong winds making for choppy seas.

The high tides could generate flood in some flood-prone areas alone the Pacific Coast and the presence of high waves could produce greater coastal impact, especially in the southern Pacific region and on Cocos Island. Coastal residents should stay alert in the coming days for these phenomena, said the UCR scientists.

Easterly trade winds are expected to be strong this week, especially after Thursday, so small boats need to use special caution and avoid traveling in such conditions, concluded the UCR.