Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,230 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Estero this week:
The surf forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Estero in the next 16 days are 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s break down the swell window for El Estero.
The start is a bit slow. We’re looking at small surf with a cross-off breeze. You won’t be missing much if you give the first few days a pass.
The first day that really jumps out is Friday afternoon, August 14th. We’ve got a nice 4ft SW groundswell pushing in with a long 18-second period. That’s deep ocean energy. The wind is a light breeze from the SSE, cross-off, keeping the faces clean. The combined energy is pumping (1132), so there’s real power in the water. This one is for the experienced surfers looking for a proper open face.
Saturday, August 15th, keeps that energy going. The morning sees a 5ft SW swell, still with a 16-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze. It’s strong (1118). In the Saturday afternoon, the swell drops a bit to 5ft, but the wind swings clean offshore from the east. That’s a major positive—it’ll be glassy and groomed. This is another window for the advanced crowd.
The week that follows has plenty of shoulder-high, rideable surf. It’s consistent, and the wind is often favorable. A special mention goes to Thursday morning, August 20th, where the swell is small at 2ft, but we get a glassy, dead-calm wind from the WNW. Perfect conditions for a longboard or a funboard just to feel the glide.
The last pulse to keep an eye on is Thursday, August 27th, with a 3ft SW swell and a 17-second period. That’s a good dose of energy (582), but the wind is a bit variable.
Water temp is around 86°, a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. Feels great.
It’s a popular spot, so expect a crowd, especially when the conditions line up.
The clear winners are Friday afternoon and Saturday – that’s the best quality surf in the 16-day run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 211 | 206 | 181 | 176 | 255 | 373 | 901 | 881 | 1160 | 1109 | 991 | 1041 | 606 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 434 | 410 | 428 | 350 | 477 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 2:07PM2.50m | 2:42AM2.47m | 2:59PM2.55m | 3:30AM2.59m | 3:47PM2.56m | 4:16AM2.64m | 4:33PM2.52m | 4:59AM2.63m | 5:17PM2.42m | 5:41AM2.56m | 6:00PM2.29m | 6:22AM2.44m | 6:44PM2.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:27PM0.09m | 8:49AM0.20m | 9:15PM0.02m | 9:40AM0.14m | 10:00PM0.01m | 10:27AM0.13m | 10:43PM0.06m | 11:13AM0.16m | 11:25PM0.15m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:06AM0.29m | 12:41PM0.36m | 00:48AM0.44m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 33 | 33 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 35 | 36 | 27 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 15 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 8 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 211 | 206 | 63 | 76 | 255 | 82 | 901 | 881 | 1160 | 1109 | 991 | 1041 | 606 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 434 | 410 | 428 | 127 | 477 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | S 9 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 8 | SW 16 | S 8 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | SW 14 | S 8 |
| kJ | 136 | 55 | 181 | 176 | 55 | 248 | 54 | 160 | 178 | 136 | 134 | 129 | 152 | 152 | 146 | 81 | 66 | 64 | 95 | 350 | 92 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 | S 11 | SW 14 | S 20 | SSW 10 | N 6 | SW 8 | N 6 | — | SW 19 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | N 4 | N 4 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 57 | 128 | 71 | 91 | 154 | 373 | 64 | 251 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 3 | — | 15 | 36 | 34 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NNW 4 | — | N 6 | — | NNE 5 | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | — | 12 | 8 | 6 | — | 16 | — | 12 | 9 | 20 | 37 | 23 | 41 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 2 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Estero Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Estero provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Estero can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Estero 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 (El Estero) 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 El Estero 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.
El Estero is 47 km (29 miles) from Nicoya. If you plan a holiday in Guanacaste, look for hotels and other accommodation in Nicoya. Nicoya has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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