Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 31) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s 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 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks. We’ve only got one spot on the radar, but it’s a good one.
The Outlook
Alright, we’re starting off with a bit of a slow burn, but the waiting pays off. The first proper action kicks off early Monday morning, August 31st, and it’s not a massive day, but it’s a clean one. We’ve got head-high swell, around 4ft, pushing in from the SW with a nice long period of 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE, it’ll be clean. The combined energy is sitting at 454 (moderate), so there’s a bit of grunt behind it. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The real standout, though, the one you need to circle on the calendar, is the morning of Friday, September 4th. The swell jumps up to a solid 5ft from the SW, with a 17-second period – that’s serious, long-period groundswell. The combined energy hits a massive 1468 (strong), and with a light NE cross-offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean and powerful. This is excellent surf, but that 5ft mark puts it in the zone for experienced surfers only. It’s a bit too much for beginners.
The next morning, Saturday, September 5th, is also a cracker. We’ve got 6ft of SW swell, again with a long 16-second period, and the energy is right up there at 1462 (strong). The wind is glassy, coming from the SSE at just 5 km/h, so it’s going to be absolutely perfect conditions. Again, this is for the experienced crew only – that size is serious.
Looking further ahead, the morning of Thursday, September 10th, is another promising one. The swell is 4ft from the SW, with a 15-second period, and the energy is a solid 1085 (strong). The wind is a clean offshore from the ENE at 15 km/h, so it’s going to be groomed. That’s a nice, solid session for the intermediates and above.
Overall, the mornings are where it’s at. The afternoons almost always get a cross-onshore wind that messes things up, so plan your sessions early. The first week is the most reliable, with the second week looking a bit more fickle but still offering some glimmers. Get on it.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 621 | 451 | 444 | 331 | 301 | 297 | 220 | 246 | 326 | 371 | 296 | 577 | 1099 | 1297 | 1519 | 1314 | 1420 | 1164 | 868 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:29AM2.51m | 4:46PM2.32m | 5:05AM2.52m | 5:25PM2.27m | 5:45AM2.50m | 6:08PM2.19m | 6:29AM2.43m | 6:56PM2.09m | 7:20AM2.33m | 7:53PM1.99m | 8:20AM2.23m | 9:01PM1.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:14PM0.24m | 10:42AM0.24m | 10:50PM0.24m | 11:21AM0.24m | 11:28PM0.28m | 12:04PM0.28m | 00:10AM0.34m | 12:52PM0.35m | 00:59AM0.43m | 1:47PM0.44m | 1:56AM0.53m | 2:52PM0.51m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 29 | 6 |
Temp °C | 28 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 621 | 451 | 444 | 331 | 301 | 297 | 220 | 238 | 238 | 371 | 169 | 577 | 1099 | 1297 | 1519 | 1314 | 1420 | 1164 | 868 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 7 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 31 | 12 | 12 | 19 | 34 | 112 | 51 | 39 | 326 | 144 | 291 | 140 | 167 | 140 | 103 | 89 | 63 | 37 | 46 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | NNW 5 | W 9 | SW 18 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 15 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 84 | 6 | 155 | 246 | 30 | 29 | 296 | 171 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 50 | 42 | 41 | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 323 | 0 | 0 | 144 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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