El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 18 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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 424 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into this one.

We’ve got a solid run of surf shaping up at El Estero over the next couple of weeks. It’s a river mouth, exposed to the west-northwest, which means it’s dialled in for this south-west swell. The consistency is good, but keep in mind, this spot can get busy, so expect some company out there.

The water is sitting around average for this time of year, so no surprises on the temperature front.

The first few days, starting Wednesday the 19th of August, are all about clean, rideable waves. Wednesday morning sees a 3ft south-west swell with a 15-second period. The wind is offshore from the east-northeast, so the surface will be clean. The combined energy is moderate (367). It’s a good start, but the real standout is coming later in the month.

We’ve got some smaller, fun-sized swell through the weekend and into the following week. The period hangs around 13-19 seconds, which is nice groundswell. Winds are generally favourable, especially on the mornings. Monday the 24th is a bit marginal with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is still there.

The real magic, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is the morning of Friday the 28th of August. The ocean goes glassy, flat calm, with a 2ft south-west swell at a long 19 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 727 (moderate), but it’s the glassy conditions that will make it a gem. The waves will be clean and peeling.

But if you’ve got the skills, the absolute standout is the morning of Saturday the 29th of August. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the south-west at 16 seconds. The combined energy is a strong 1207. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the north-northeast, keeping it clean. This is big, powerful surf – expert territory only. If you’re not comfortable on a bigger board, give this one a miss.

The following Sunday morning, the 30th, holds similar size at 5ft with a 14-second period and good cross-offshore wind, so it’s another day for the experienced crew. After that, the swell slowly backs off into the first week of September, but we still get some clean, glassy mornings, especially on the 1st and 3rd of September.

There are no real gaps in the action here; the surf is on offer pretty much consistently through the whole 16-day window. The crowds will be a factor, especially when the conditions are clean, but that’s the cost of a good wave.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
2
1
2
2
2
1
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)
1.1
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
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
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
539
355
350
238
144
138
83
76
54
102
95
158
97
184
260
330
255
305
322
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
20
ENE
10
ENE
10
ENE
20
ENE
10
WSW
10
E
15
NE
10
SSW
10
E
20
ENE
5
SSE
10
E
15
ENE
10
SE
20
ENE
20
ENE
10
SW
15
ENE
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
7:05AM2.29m
7:29PM1.98m
7:50AM2.14m
8:19PM1.83m
8:42AM2.01m
9:18PM1.72m
9:42AM1.92m
10:27PM1.68m
10:48AM1.90m
11:37PM1.71m
11:52AM1.94m
00:37AM1.80m
Low Tide
00:48AM0.44m
1:26PM0.49m
1:32AM0.59m
2:16PM0.61m
2:20AM0.72m
3:14PM0.71m
3:18AM0.82m
4:20PM0.75m
4:26AM0.86m
5:27PM0.73m
5:34AM0.84m
6:25PM0.66m
thunderstorm
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clear
<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
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:59
5:59
5:58
5:58
5:57
5:57
 mm
3
1
2
1
5
1
2
Temp °C
27
30
31
27
31
29
28
31
30
28
32
31
27
31
30
27
31
28
26
Feels °C
30
32
33
28
34
32
33
34
33
31
35
35
29
35
32
29
35
31
28
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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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