El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° C
1.7° 

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 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 366 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at El Estero in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM. 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+) 9PM (Mon 13th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 20th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the longer-range looks like it’s got some serious potential. The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag, with some surfable waves but the conditions aren't always gonna play ball. We’re looking at a single break here, El Estero, and it’s got a few windows of opportunity.

The water is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the 4/3 at home.

The first real standout looks like Monday morning, July 13th. We’ve got a clean 2ft swell from the SW, with a period of 14 seconds. The wind is a gentle offshore breeze from the ENE, so the face will be smooth. The combined wave energy is moderate (200). It’s not a big day, but it’s a nice, clean start to the week.

Conditions get a bit messy after that, with onshore winds chopping things up in the afternoons. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are surfable with offshore winds, but the quality is just ordinary. The swell stays small, around 2ft.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. The swell drops off, and the wind isn't helping. It’s not until Sunday, July 19th that we see a glimmer of hope. The afternoon session looks clean with a 3ft SSW swell and a 12-second period, and the wind is light offshore. The energy picks up too (449).

Now, the real gold is in the second week. Hold onto your boards.

Saturday, July 25th morning is interesting. The swell is only 2ft, but the period jumps to a very long 21 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is light offshore from the E, and the energy reading is 434. This is a promising sign for a river mouth like El Estero, as those long-period lines will wrap in nicely.

The absolute best of the bunch is shaping up for Sunday, July 26th morning. We’re looking at a clean 3ft swell from the SW with a 19-second period. The wind is a light offshore from the ESE. The combined wave energy is strong (577). This is the kind of forecast that gets you out of bed early. The waves will have proper shape and power.

But it gets even better. Monday, July 27th morning is a glassy dream. Zero wind, clean conditions, and a 3ft SW swell with an 18-second period. The energy is a massive 591. This is a no-brainer. Get out there.

The run of good conditions continues into Tuesday, July 28th morning. We’ve got glassy conditions again, with a 4ft SW swell and a 16-second period. The energy is the highest of the whole forecast at 619. This is the biggest swell in the window, and with that glassy surface, it’s going to be a treat. This is a bit more size, so it’ll be a step up from the weekend, but for the experienced surfer, this is the session to aim for.

Because this is a river mouth, those long-period swells (over 15 seconds) will wrap around the banks and deliver some nice, lined-up waves. Crowds are often here, so expect some company, especially on those standout days.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
2
0
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.8
SSW
12
1
SSW
13
0.5
SW
14
0.4
SW
15
0.8
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
13
0.5
SW
19
0.9
SSW
12
0.6
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
200
125
184
140
207
197
181
196
206
196
326
103
75
229
232
113
164
286
170
248
192
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
5
W
15
E
20
ENE
15
NE
20
ENE
15
E
5
NE
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
WSW
10
NE
20
NE
20
NE
20
ENE
20
ENE
15
NNE
15
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
20
ENE
Wind State
off
on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
1:20PM2.52m
2:00AM2.27m
2:18PM2.59m
2:56AM2.41m
3:12PM2.63m
3:48AM2.52m
4:04PM2.62m
4:39AM2.59m
4:53PM2.56m
5:27AM2.59m
5:42PM2.45m
6:14AM2.54m
6:31PM2.31m
Low Tide
7:48PM0.13m
8:02AM0.27m
8:42PM0.03m
8:59AM0.19m
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
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
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
6:08
6:08
 mm
3
1
3
2
3
1
Temp °C
30
29
26
30
30
26
30
29
27
30
29
27
30
29
26
29
29
26
30
31
27
Feels °C
33
33
28
31
31
27
32
33
30
34
32
31
31
30
26
30
31
28
30
33
28
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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