
Surf Forecasts:
Costa Banderas surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 952 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Costa Banderas this week:
The surf forecast for Costa Banderas over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Costa Banderas in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Costa Banderas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down. The window starts with a bit of a wait, but there’s some proper groundswell headed our way from Sunday the 26th of July.
We’re looking at a consistent reef break that’s pretty exposed. Sunday morning shows a clean 3ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period and moderate wave energy (488). Winds are light and cross-offshore from the east, so the surface will be clean and inviting. This is your standout session for Costa Banderas. The water temp is about normal for the season, nothing out of the ordinary. That long period means better shape and more energy between sets, but on a beach break, it can sometimes run a bit straight. Still, with those light winds and low crowds—well, sometimes there are crowds—so it won’t be totally empty. Expect clean lines and some long lulls.
Sunday afternoon turns onshore and it’s best to skip it.
Monday the 27th, though, that’s the real gem. Swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSW with a 17-second period and energy climbing to 741. Winds are again light and cross-off in the morning, so Monday morning is the best combo of size and conditions in the whole outlook. If you’ve got one session to go for, this is it.
Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th still have waves in the 3ft to 4ft range, but the quality drops a bit with cross-chop and tricky tides. The afternoons clean up with westerly cross-off winds, so Wednesday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon are both decent.
From Thursday the 30th onward, the swell fades. You’re looking at 2ft to 3ft, shorter periods, and afternoons get choppy. Mornings are still rideable but just barely. By the first few days of August, it drops to 2ft or smaller with very low energy. There’s a stretch of about five days starting August 1st where it’s really ordinary. A couple of glassy mornings could still get a longboard wet, but you won’t be planning a trip around it.
The second week stays small: 2ft leftovers with glassy windows on the 4th, 5th, and 9th of August, but the energy is barely there. It’s a slow spell that’s common around here. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out.
If you want to really surf, make it Sunday the 26th or Monday the 27th. Everything else is just hanging in there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | SSW 13 | W 11 | W 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
627 | 465 | 449 | 607 | 735 | 808 | 679 | 663 | 458 | 441 | 430 | 419 | 275 | 264 | 261 | 205 | 158 | 202 | 188 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:23AM1.12m | 7:28PM1.36m | 9:38AM1.15m | 8:04PM1.43m | 9:57AM1.18m | 8:37PM1.47m | 10:16AM1.20m | 9:08PM1.49m | 10:36AM1.23m | 9:38PM1.48m | 10:56AM1.25m | 10:09PM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:22AM0.22m | 1:54PM0.89m | 2:49AM0.16m | 2:20PM0.83m | 3:15AM0.12m | 2:47PM0.77m | 3:39AM0.10m | 3:14PM0.72m | 4:03AM0.12m | 3:44PM0.68m | 4:26AM0.17m | 4:15PM0.64m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | |
mm | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 19 | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 10 | 1 | — | 4 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 11 |
627 | 465 | 449 | 607 | 735 | 808 | 679 | 663 | 458 | 441 | 430 | 419 | 275 | 189 | 205 | 205 | 98 | 202 | 188 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 7 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
19 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 121 | 202 | 191 | 148 | 143 | 98 | 183 | 264 | 261 | 175 | 158 | 114 | 95 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | S 13 | W 11 | W 11 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 9 | WSW 14 | WNW 4 | — | NW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 11 | — | SW 16 |
34 | 12 | 28 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 1 | 7 | 71 | 2 | — | 6 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 66 | — | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nayarit | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Costa Banderas Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Costa Banderas provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Costa Banderas can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Costa Banderas surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Costa Banderas) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Costa Banderas may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Costa Banderas is 27 km (17 miles) from Puerto Vallarta. If you plan a holiday in Nayarit, look for hotels and other accommodation in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










