El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.1° C
1.8° 

El Estero surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


El Estero surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 415 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 16th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 16th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G'day, this is Rusty. Right, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start here at El Estero, a river mouth break that’s exposed to the WNW swell. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so nothing too crazy to report there. The first few days are looking pretty ordinary. Thursday the 16th has some small 2 ft SW swell crossing in the morning, but we won't see anything worth paddling out for until the afternoon. That afternoon picks up a bit of life with a 3 ft SSW swell and a 13-second period, but the real issue is the cross-off wind. It’s clean, sure, but the combined swell energy is sitting at 374 (moderate), and the scores tell me it’s only just worth a look. Still, with light wind it’s a possible option if you’re desperate.

Friday the 17th is a write-off in the morning – just 1 ft of weak, short-period swell. The afternoon improves slightly to 2 ft SSW, but the wind is still cross-off and onshore enough to make it messy. Saturday the 18th morning is marginal, but the afternoon is where we get a tiny window. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and with 3 ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, it’ll be clean and rideable. Crowds are often here, so expect company. That'll be the best of the first week, but it’s nothing to write home about.

Sunday the 19th morning is poor, with a tiny 2 ft SW swell, but the afternoon bumps back up to 3 ft SSW with 449 moderate energy. Clean, but still just a small wave. Monday the 20th morning shows a 3 ft SW swell with a long 16-second period, which is a nice groundswell, but the conditions are marginal with a moderate breeze. The afternoon goes poor with stronger wind. Tuesday and Wednesday look pretty average – small swells, cross-off winds, and low scores. The best of the early week is Wednesday the 22nd afternoon, with a fresh offshore wind from the east at 19 mph and a clean 2 ft SW swell. It’s small, but offshore wind is always a gift. The combined energy is weak at 193 though.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 23rd afternoon brings a surprise – a tiny 1 ft swell, but the period is a massive 26 seconds. That’s very long-period groundswell, which at a river mouth can be a beautiful thing, peeling down the bank. The wind is light offshore, and the energy reads 296 (moderate). It’ll be hard to get, but for those who know the bank, it could be a gem.

But the real standout, the one I’m getting excited about, is Friday the 24th. The morning will be firing with a 3 ft SW swell, a 24-second period, and a moderate offshore breeze. The combined energy hits 768 – that’s good, strong energy for the size. The score says expect very good conditions. This is the one to circle. The afternoon stays glassy with a chance of a storm, but the morning window is where you want to be.

Saturday the 25th morning continues the run with a 3 ft SW swell, 21-second period, light offshore wind, and energy at 998 – nearly a four-digit number, very strong. It’ll be clean, consistent, and the river bank should be handling it beautifully. Crowds will be a thing here, but it’ll be worth the paddle.

Sunday the 26th is the next big call. We’ve got 4 ft SW swell, 19-second period, and glassy conditions in the morning. The combined energy is 1220 – strong to very strong. This is excellent for experienced surfers. It’s getting a bit solid for beginners, but if you know the spot, it’ll be a memorable session. The afternoon holds similar size but turns cross-shore.

Monday the 27th morning is also excellent, with 4 ft SW, 18-second period, and light offshore wind. Energy at 1157. Another cracker. Tuesday the 28th morning pushes to 5 ft SW, still a 17-second period, and near-calm wind. Energy hits 1635 – very strong. This is expert territory at that size on a river mouth, but for the crew who surf heavy banks, this is the session to lock in. The afternoons turn onshore and messy from here on out.

Wednesday the 29th morning still has 5 ft SW, glassy, and 1042 energy. Excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday the 30th morning drops to 4 ft SW with glassy conditions and 739 energy. Still very good. The last day, Friday the 31st, is 4 ft SW with a cross-off breeze – marginal, but still surfable.

So, the two true standouts: Friday morning the 24th with that long-period groundswell and offshore wind, and Tuesday morning the 28th for the bigger, powerful swell. Those are the sessions to plan around. Everything else in the first week is just keeping the stoke alive.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
0
0
2
0
1
2
0
0
2
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
13
1
SSW
13
0.5
SW
14
0.4
SW
15
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.4
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.9
SSW
12
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
206
172
326
103
75
178
140
192
164
96
170
248
192
366
361
313
301
206
250
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
25
ENE
10
ENE
25
ENE
30
ENE
15
NE
25
ENE
25
ENE
5
S
15
NE
25
ENE
15
ENE
20
ENE
25
NE
30
NE
20
NE
20
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:48AM2.52m
4:04PM2.62m
4:39AM2.59m
4:53PM2.56m
5:27AM2.59m
5:42PM2.45m
6:14AM2.54m
6:31PM2.31m
7:01AM2.44m
7:20PM2.15m
7:48AM2.32m
8:11PM1.99m
Low Tide
9:33PM-0.03m
9:54AM0.15m
10:22PM-0.04m
10:47AM0.16m
11:09PM0.01m
11:38AM0.21m
11:55PM0.11m
12:28PM0.30m
00:41AM0.25m
1:18PM0.40m
1:27AM0.41m
2:10PM0.51m
2:15AM0.56m
clear
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clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:30
5:30
5:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:07
 mm
1
Temp °C
27
31
31
28
31
30
28
31
31
27
31
32
27
29
29
27
27
25
26
Feels °C
30
32
34
28
32
32
27
33
35
28
31
33
26
28
28
28
28
26
25
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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