El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 10 Jul 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 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with 377 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m 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 0.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) 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 0.9m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 11th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sat 11th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 15s

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


Alright, let’s switch it up to feet and Fahrenheit for those who think that way.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a stretch of clean, consistent surf at El Estero. The water is sitting at a warm 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might not need the full wetsuit.

The week kicks off on Friday afternoon (10th) with a 3ft SSW groundswell, period of 15 seconds, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 387, and with that long period, the waves will have shape and push, perfect for a river mouth setup like this.

Saturday (11th) is looking solid too. Morning brings a 3ft SSW swell with cross-off winds from the NE, keeping things clean. By afternoon, the wind goes glassy again, and the swell bumps up a touch in energy to 448. That’s a great afternoon session.

Sunday (12th) holds steady with 3ft SW swell and light cross-off breezes all day. The energy dips slightly but it’s still clean and consistent.

The standout period here is from Friday through Sunday. Swell sizes are small but rideable, and the winds are mostly light and favourable. The long period (14-15 seconds) means those waves will have some real push, and at a river break like El Estero, that’s a recipe for nice, peeling lines without too much jostling for position. Crowds can be a factor here, so get in early.

Monday (13th) sees a slight drop to 2ft, but still clean in the morning with a cross-off breeze. Tuesday (14th) morning is clean with offshore wind, but the swell sits at only 2ft, so it’ll be small and gutless. Afternoon turns marginal with a cross-shore wind.

We then hit a bit of a lull through the middle of the week. Wednesday (15th) has some okay morning waves (2ft) but the wind picks up to 12 mph, and by afternoon the onshore wind kills it. Thursday (16th) is similar—clean morning but small, and the afternoon gets messy.

Friday (17th) is a bit of a mixed bag. Morning is small and clean with an offshore breeze, but the afternoon is where it gets interesting again: 3ft SSW swell, glassy conditions, and energy at 431. That’s a good surprise for a Friday evening.

Over the weekend of the 18th and 19th, it’s pretty quiet. Small swell and moderate breezes keep things average, though Sunday afternoon turns glassy with a 2ft SW swell and very long 18-second period. That’s more of a clean-up set type of day.

Now, looking further out, we see the real spike coming on Saturday 25th July. The morning delivers a 3ft SW groundswell with a very long period of 21 seconds and combined energy hitting 790—that’s strong. Winds are light offshore from the east. This is the best looking window in the whole outlook. The swell direction (SW) lines up perfectly with the optimum for the spot (WNW/SW), and with that period, El Estero could really light up. It’s a long-range call, so don’t lock it in yet, but it’s got my attention.

Wednesday 22nd July also deserves a mention. We see a 5ft SW swell, but the period drops to just 8 seconds—short period windswell. It’s clean with offshore winds in the afternoon, and energy is high at 496, so there’ll be lumpy, powerful waves. That size might be too much for beginners, and the short period will make it a bit crumbly at the river mouth, so it’s more of a challenge wave.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
2
2
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.8
SSW
14
0.4
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
279
403
372
362
323
284
264
130
200
125
88
140
207
147
181
196
206
124
126
276
75
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
10
SE
5
NE
5
WNW
10
E
10
NE
10
NNE
15
E
15
ENE
10
E
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
NNW
15
ENE
20
ENE
10
WSW
10
ENE
15
ENE
10
WSW
10
E
15
ENE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
on
off
off
High Tide
10:48PM1.92m
11:14AM2.35m
11:56PM2.00m
12:19PM2.43m
1:00AM2.13m
1:20PM2.52m
2:00AM2.27m
2:18PM2.59m
2:56AM2.41m
3:12PM2.63m
3:48AM2.52m
4:04PM2.62m
4:39AM2.59m
Low Tide
4:44PM0.48m
4:47AM0.53m
5:49PM0.38m
5:55AM0.46m
6:51PM0.26m
7:01AM0.37m
7:48PM0.13m
8:02AM0.27m
8:42PM0.03m
8:59AM0.19m
9:33PM-0.03m
9:54AM0.15m
10:22PM-0.04m
10:47AM0.16m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
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thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
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part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
 mm
3
8
4
11
1
5
1
2
1
3
3
2
Temp °C
30
28
28
29
26
27
29
26
29
30
27
29
29
25
30
29
27
30
28
26
26
Feels °C
34
32
32
34
30
31
32
27
32
34
30
33
32
26
33
32
31
35
31
29
28
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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