Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s 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 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s put it in feet.
We’re lookin’ at El Estero, a river mouth break exposed to the west-northwest. The water’s a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you won’t be needing a thick suit.
Monday the 24th starts small but clean. You’ve got a 2ft groundswell from the southwest with a long 18-second period. East-northeast wind is offshore, keeping it glassy. Energy is moderate (327). Get out there early because the afternoon turns into a choppy cross-onshore mess.
Tuesday the 25th is more of the same: 2ft swell with a 16-second period, moderate offshore breeze in the morning (energy 245). The afternoon gets cross-shore and stormy, so make it a dawn patrol.
Wednesday the 26th drops to a weak 2ft swell. The energy is low (140-153). Still clean with a cross-offshore wind in the morning, but it’s a day for the longboard or for learning.
Thursday the 27th is a sweet morning. The swell picks up period to 18 seconds on that small 2ft southwest swell (energy 230). Offshore ENE wind keeps it clean. Then the afternoon goes completely glassy with zero wind. That’s a rare, silky window at the river mouth.
Friday the 28th sees a jump in energy (654 morning, 479 afternoon) as the swell builds to 3ft with that long 19-second period. Morning is cross-offshore, but the afternoon turns into a proper offshore ENE wind at 15 mph. That’s clean, lined-up water.
Saturday the 29th is the big one. Morning swell hits 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period. Energy is strong, over 1100. Offshore east wind at 9 mph, clean, and the wave comment calls it excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout of the first week. It’s too big for beginners, and the long period makes the river mouth tricky.
Sunday the 30th holds steady with 5ft swell (945 energy) and a 14-second period. Morning is clean with a cross-offshore NE breeze, and the afternoon goes glassy. Two solid sessions.
Monday the 31st eases to 4ft, still a decent 13-second groundswell. Clean in the morning, poor in the afternoon.
The first week of September keeps giving. Tuesday the 1st starts clean with 3ft. Wednesday the 2nd has 3ft with good energy (488) and clean airs. Thursday the 3rd is looking very good in the morning.
The real heavy hitter lands Friday September 4th. Morning brings 6ft of SW swell with a 17-second period. Energy is very strong (over 1800). Offshore east wind at 3 mph, clean. This is experts only—too big and powerful for the average surfer, with massive walling sets on the river mouth.
Saturday September 5th is also a monster: 6ft swell, glassy with no wind in the morning. Energy is huge (1709). Again, experts only.
After that, the swell slowly backs off into the second week, but Sunday the 7th still has a clean morning with 4ft.
Bottom line: If you know what you’re doing, the mornings of Saturday August 29th, Friday September 4th, and Saturday September 5th are your best shots. Big, clean, powerful groundswell. But don’t be late—afternoon winds will ruin it.
Stay sharp.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
255 | 305 | 390 | 211 | 206 | 191 | 110 | 107 | 74 | 154 | 155 | 248 | 531 | 354 | 1215 | 1123 | 1314 | 1105 | 911 | 821 | 630 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:19AM2.35m | 3:32PM2.32m | 3:53AM2.45m | 4:09PM2.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:26AM0.35m | 9:39PM0.26m | 10:04AM0.28m | 10:14PM0.24m | ||||||||
5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 35 | 33 | 31 | 36 | 31 | 28 | 33 | 31 | 28 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
104 | 102 | 390 | 211 | 206 | 191 | 41 | 47 | 57 | 88 | 86 | 248 | 531 | 354 | 1215 | 1123 | 1314 | 1105 | 911 | 821 | 630 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 |
255 | 305 | 76 | 55 | 52 | 33 | 110 | 107 | 74 | 76 | 106 | 47 | 44 | 32 | 29 | 30 | 114 | 98 | 34 | 57 | 75 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | N 4 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 20 | N 4 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 6 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | — | N 4 | S 10 | S 10 | W 10 |
72 | 69 | 49 | 34 | 6 | 30 | 30 | 37 | 6 | 154 | 155 | 13 | 123 | 125 | 40 | 40 | — | 6 | 17 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 4 | NE 3 | N 4 | ENE 3 | S 7 | — | NNE 5 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
7 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 11 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 124 | — | 17 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











