The Guanacaste coast is one of the world's most celebrated surfing destinations, and the Potrero area gives access to some of its best breaks. Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point — two of the most famous point breaks in Central America — lie within Santa Rosa National Park, about an hour north by boat. Both produce long, consistent rights that work through much of the year; Witch's Rock is a powerful beach break that handles a range of swells, while Ollie's Point is a more structured point break that rewards intermediate and advanced surfers. Day-trip charters depart from the Flamingo marina, include the necessary park permits, and take about 25–30 people out at a time.
Closer to shore, there is functional surf at Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande (both about 40 minutes south) and at Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra a little further along the coast. Several operators in Potrero and Flamingo offer lessons, board hire, and guided surf tours to the breaks best suited to the conditions on any given day.
Beyond surfing, the bay and surrounding water are good territory for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whale-watching (humpbacks pass through August–October), and dolphin-spotting tours.