
Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 21s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,741 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 24s 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 (Jul 24) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 24s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. 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 1.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 0.7m 11s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 24s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s talk El Estero. The first good window opens Friday morning, 24 July, with a solid groundswell from the SW, a very long period of 24 seconds. The swell is only 3ft, but the combined swell energy is 851 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-off from the NE at 6 mph, so the surface is clean. Expect very good surf. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
Saturday morning, 25 July, is similar—3ft swell, 21-second period, energy at 905 (moderate). Wind is still light cross-off from the NE. Clean. Sunday morning, 26 July, the swell hits 4ft, period 19 seconds, energy at 978 (moderate). Wind is a moderate cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph, still clean but a bit stronger.
Now, Monday morning, 27 July, is a standout. The swell is 4ft, period 19 seconds, but the energy jumps to 1354 (strong). The wind is pure offshore from the ENE at 6 mph. This is excellent for experienced surfers—clean, powerful, and the offshore wind is a major plus. The afternoon gets choppy with a cross-on wind. Stick to the mornings.
Tuesday morning, 28 July, is another highlight. The swell builds to 6ft from the SW, period 18 seconds, and energy at 1766 (strong). That’s a solid wave. The wind is a light offshore from the E at 3 mph—glassy conditions. This is excellent for experts only. Too big for beginners. The afternoon turns messy.
Wednesday morning, 29 July, stays good with 5ft, 16-second period, energy at 1317 (strong). Light cross-off wind from the ENE. Clean. Thursday morning, 30 July, drops to 4ft, 14-second period, energy at 709 (moderate), but still clean with a cross-off.
From Friday, 31 July, into the first week of August, the swell fades. Mornings are clean with smaller waves (2ft to 3ft), but nothing special. The period drops below 15 seconds. Afternoons get onshore or cross-on, making a mess. There’s a gap of a few days where the afternoons are no good.
In the second week, we get a few small, clean sessions. Saturday morning, 1 August, is glassy with 3ft swell, 13-second period, energy at 347 (weak). Sunday morning, 2 August, is also glassy with 2ft. Fun for a longboard. Tuesday morning, 4 August, has a gentle offshore from the ENE, 2ft, 13-second period, energy at 219 (weak). Clean but small.
By Wednesday, 5 August, the swell is 1ft, energy at 124 (weak). Surfable but very ordinary. The rest of the forecast is a fade-out with small, weak waves and onshore winds. The energy drops to two digits by Saturday, 8 August, at 92 (weak). It’s flat.
The standout is Monday morning, 27 July, or Tuesday morning, 28 July. That’s your best bet for size, power, and offshore wind. Mornings are the only time to go. The afternoons are a write-off.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
120 | 661 | 347 | 1015 | 756 | 653 | 1210 | 920 | 1099 | 1199 | 791 | 800 | 1591 | 1741 | 1682 | 1456 | 1317 | 1149 | 844 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:05PM1.77m | 10:26AM2.02m | 11:08PM1.73m | 11:25AM2.00m | 00:09AM1.75m | 12:21PM2.03m | 1:04AM1.82m | 1:12PM2.09m | 1:52AM1.91m | 1:58PM2.17m | 2:35AM2.02m | 2:40PM2.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:04AM0.77m | 5:03PM0.68m | 5:05AM0.80m | 6:02PM0.65m | 6:04AM0.78m | 6:55PM0.59m | 6:58AM0.73m | 7:42PM0.51m | 7:47AM0.66m | 8:24PM0.42m | 8:31AM0.59m | 9:02PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
120 | 133 | 91 | 1015 | 756 | 653 | 1210 | 920 | 1099 | 1199 | 546 | 532 | 1591 | 1741 | 1682 | 1456 | 1317 | 1149 | 844 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SW 24 | S 7 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 9 | S 11 | S 9 | S 11 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 |
61 | 661 | 38 | 103 | 55 | 167 | 101 | 41 | 33 | 94 | 791 | 800 | 57 | 87 | 25 | 58 | 19 | 28 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 24 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 11 | S 10 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | — | S 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 |
109 | 57 | 347 | 52 | 94 | 88 | 114 | 58 | 32 | 29 | 66 | 67 | 20 | 25 | 25 | — | 20 | 18 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 2 | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 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 | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










