El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.9°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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,225 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period. 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 29) at 12PM. 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 11s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 22nd Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 28th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s lined up for El Estero over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The opening weekend is small, and while Saturday morning has clean conditions with a 2ft west-southwest swell and a cross-off breeze, the energy is weak (163). It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about. Sunday morning picks up a little with the same size but a longer period of 19 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 300. That’s more like it, and with clean conditions, you’ll find some fun ones.

The real standout? That’s got to be Friday, August 28th, through the following weekend. Friday morning serves up a 3ft southwest swell with a 19-second period, and the energy is strong (744). The wind is a gentle cross-off breeze, so the waves will be clean and well-shaped. This is quality groundswell, and for a river break like El Estero, that long period will really line up. Then Saturday, August 29th, brings a punch: 5ft swell from the southwest, even bigger energy (1261), and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s the pick of the first week.

The water temperature is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. You’ll hardly notice the difference, but it’s a nice little bonus.

After that, the swell backs off a bit into the start of September, but don’t write it off. Wednesday, September 3rd, looks promising with a 3ft southwest swell and a 19-second period, combined with a light offshore breeze. The energy is solid (920) and the waves will be clean. Then Friday, September 4th, is the big one for the second week: 6ft from the southwest, 18 seconds, and a gentle offshore wind. The energy is massive (2312), and it’s rated excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper groundswell, and the river mouth will be handling it nicely. Saturday morning, September 5th, is glassy with 6ft waves – a real treat for the early birds.

Keep in mind, the afternoon windows can get a bit of cross-on wind and the occasional risk of thunderstorms, so mornings are your best bet. Crowds are listed as *often* here, so expect company, especially on those standout days.

All in all, we’ve got a solid run of surf. The first couple of days are small, but from the 28th of August through to the 6th of September, there are plenty of good to excellent sessions. Don’t sleep on that Friday the 4th.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
2
1
2
3
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.4
SW
20
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SW
14
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
19
0.7
SW
19
1.4
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
95
155
97
184
260
327
255
305
322
211
206
191
110
107
74
154
155
248
531
358
1215
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
5
SSE
15
E
15
NE
15
E
15
E
20
ENE
10
SSE
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
SW
5
E
15
ENE
5
WSW
15
E
10
ENE
10
NNW
10
E
15
ENE
20
NE
20
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
9:42AM1.92m
10:27PM1.68m
10:48AM1.90m
11:37PM1.71m
11:52AM1.94m
00:37AM1.80m
12:47PM2.02m
1:25AM1.94m
1:34PM2.12m
2:06AM2.09m
2:16PM2.21m
2:43AM2.23m
2:54PM2.28m
Low Tide
4:20PM0.75m
4:26AM0.86m
5:27PM0.73m
5:34AM0.84m
6:25PM0.66m
6:34AM0.77m
7:13PM0.57m
7:24AM0.67m
7:54PM0.47m
8:08AM0.56m
8:30PM0.38m
8:48AM0.45m
9:05PM0.31m
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thunderstorm
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thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:57
5:57
5:55
5:55
5:54
5:54
 mm
2
4
2
2
2
6
7
1
4
1
Temp °C
32
31
27
32
32
27
32
30
27
30
29
27
30
28
25
30
30
26
30
31
27
Feels °C
34
36
28
35
34
28
35
33
29
33
32
31
35
32
27
33
34
29
32
32
27
  • 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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