Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SW swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m 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 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s get into it.
We’re looking at El Estero, and the next couple of days are a bit of a write-off for surf, but don’t get down. The swell is tiny and the wind is messy. Wednesday afternoon the 5th has a weak 1.6ft south-west swell but a cross-on wind and a storm risk means it’s not worth paddling out. Thursday the 6th is a bit of a tease – morning has a clean cross-off wind but the swell is still anemic, so it’s a no-go. Thursday afternoon, the wind goes glassy, and the water is a touch warmer than normal at 86°, but the swell is still just 1.6ft. It’s surfable but very ordinary.
Now, the good stuff starts to build on Friday the 7th. That morning, the wind goes offshore from the east-northeast at 12 mph, and the swell jumps to 2.0ft from the south-southwest with a long 18-second period. The combined energy hits 414 (moderate), and the waves are clean. It’s still small, but the quality is there. Saturday the 8th is where it gets interesting. By Saturday afternoon, we’ve got 3.6ft of south-west swell with a 15-second period, the wind is offshore from the east, and the energy is 516 (moderate). The conditions are clean, and this is a solid window for an intermediate surfer.
The standout of the whole 16-day run is Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th. Friday afternoon the 14th is the best on offer: 4.9ft from the south-west, an 18-second period (that’s a long-period groundswell), clean offshore wind from the east at 9 mph, and the combined energy is a powerful 1354 (strong). This is proper swell for experienced surfers. It’s a river break, so that long period will work well here. Saturday the 15th is also pumping – 4.9ft in the morning with a fresh east-northeast wind, but the afternoon goes glassy with a 4.6ft south-west swell. That afternoon is a beauty.
There’s a bit of a gap from the start, with nothing recommended until Friday the 7th, but once it turns on, it stays consistent. El Estero is a consistent break, and it’s exposed to the west-northwest swell, so the south-west direction is a good match. Crowds are often a factor here, so expect company on the good days.
The water temperature is about 86°, which is a touch warmer than usual for the time of year.
That’s the story. Stay stoked.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 68 | 74 | 125 | 64 | 212 | 209 | 305 | 376 | 441 | 509 | 309 | 401 | 384 | 196 | 199 | 331 | 355 | 268 | 455 | 212 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:16PM2.04m | 7:43AM2.32m | 8:10PM1.96m | 8:39AM2.27m | 9:15PM1.90m | 9:45AM2.25m | 10:28PM1.90m | 10:57AM2.26m | 11:42PM1.98m | 12:07PM2.32m | 00:50AM2.13m | 1:10PM2.41m | 1:49AM2.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:19AM0.46m | 2:09PM0.49m | 2:13AM0.52m | 3:11PM0.52m | 3:17AM0.57m | 4:21PM0.51m | 4:30AM0.58m | 5:32PM0.44m | 5:45AM0.52m | 6:37PM0.33m | 6:54AM0.42m | 7:35PM0.20m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — |
mm | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 32 | 33 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 24 | 31 | 34 | 28 | 33 | 31 | 28 | 34 | 31 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 84 | 63 | 64 | 35 | 123 | 94 | 79 | 376 | 441 | 509 | 309 | 401 | 384 | 196 | 199 | 331 | 355 | 268 | 308 | 212 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 | S 11 | S 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | N 5 | SSW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | N 5 |
| kJ | 68 | 74 | 125 | 47 | 212 | 205 | 305 | 144 | 169 | 52 | 101 | 55 | 34 | 124 | 125 | 11 | 253 | 38 | 455 | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 6 | N 4 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 8 | N 5 | S 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 55 | 6 | 3 | 64 | 159 | 209 | 151 | 74 | 69 | 7 | 39 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 40 | 157 | 36 | 152 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | SE 3 | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 33 | 18 | 16 | 6 | 12 | — | 7 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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