El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 14 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° 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 14 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,160 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. 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 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 14th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 18s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 14th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 18s
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 15th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s

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 the next sixteen days for our local spot.

We’re looking at a solid run of south-west groundswell for El Estero, with the most exciting window arriving this weekend. That long-period energy (18 seconds) on Friday the 14th is a real treat, pushing in with a combined energy of 901 (moderate). The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no need to stress about thermals. Friday morning is clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but the real standout is Saturday morning the 15th. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell from the south-west, with a fresh cross-offshore wind, and the energy is pumping at 1118 (moderate). This is the pick of the first week – solid, clean, and from the right direction for this river mouth. The long period (16 seconds) means it’ll be a bit more lined up, but it’s a river break so it should handle it well. Crowds are likely here, so get in early.

Sunday the 16th sees the swell ease a touch to 4ft, still clean on the morning with a gentle breeze, but the energy drops to 677 (moderate). Monday the 17th is a beauty for the glassy conditions – a 4ft, 14-second swell with a glassy afternoon, energy at 500 (moderate). That’s a real sneaky session. Tuesday the 18th holds clean 4ft waves in the morning, but the afternoon turns onshore and messy. From Wednesday the 19th, the size drops below 3ft, and we get a few days of small, clean glassy mornings with light wind, but the energy is low (357 to 303). Showers and storms threaten the afternoons.

There’s a notable gap of smaller surf from around the 21st through to the 23rd, with waves only 2ft to 2ft. The energy is very weak (143 to 215). The surf quality is ordinary, though there are some clean windows in the mornings. By Sunday the 23rd, a new pulse of very long-period swell (19 seconds) arrives, with 2ft waves but a combined energy of 333 (moderate). That’s a promising sign for the start of the following week. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th both have clean mornings with 2ft and 2ft waves, and the energy is building back up (326 to 339). The real dark horse is Thursday the 27th – a clean 2ft, 18-second groundswell with light offshore wind, energy at 205 (moderate). That could be a fun little glassy session if you’re not greedy.

The final weekend, the 28th and 29th, shows a bump back up to 3ft – 4ft, with clean conditions on the mornings, but the wind is a moderate cross-offshore, and the energy is moderate (490 to 543). It’s not the standout of the first weekend, but it’s a solid finish to the outlook.

Overall, the best on offer is Saturday morning the 15th for the cleanest, punchiest swell. Not far behind is Monday the 17th for glassy conditions. The long-range stuff around the 23rd and 27th is promising but less certain. Keep an eye on the morning windows, because the aftertons get messy with storms and onshore breezes.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
0
3
3
0
2
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
18
1.2
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.5
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.2
SW
15
1.2
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
1
SSW
8
1
SSW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
901
881
1160
1109
897
1041
606
606
598
428
500
410
428
401
477
355
305
238
183
147
189
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
5
SE
20
NE
30
NE
35
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
10
E
5
SE
5
ESE
5
NNE
15
W
5
SE
5
ENE
10
WSW
0
E
5
NNE
10
WSW
5
ESE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
on
glassy
off
on
glassy
cross-off
on
off
High Tide
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
7:05AM2.29m
7:29PM1.98m
7:50AM2.14m
8:19PM1.83m
Low Tide
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
1:26PM0.49m
1:32AM0.59m
2:16PM0.61m
2:20AM0.72m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<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>
6:01
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
5:59
5:59
 mm
1
1
4
2
3
3
1
6
12
1
11
2
Temp °C
32
32
28
32
32
28
29
28
26
28
28
27
28
28
27
29
28
26
28
27
26
Feels °C
34
36
29
30
30
28
28
27
28
31
31
30
31
31
31
33
31
31
31
31
29
  • Map Icons:
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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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