El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.9° C
1.8° 

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 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 TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 24th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 24s
Best Surf12AM (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 Forecast

Moderate 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 Summary

Moderate 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
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
4
3
2
4
2
3
4
4
1
4
4
2
4
4
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
18
0.8
SW
24
0.6
SW
24
1.1
SW
21
0.9
SW
21
0.9
SW
20
1.3
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.1
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.6
SW
18
1.7
SW
18
1.7
SW
17
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
120
661
347
1015
756
653
1210
920
1099
1199
791
800
1591
1741
1682
1456
1317
1149
844
Wind (km/h)
15
E
10
NE
5
NNW
10
ESE
10
NE
10
SW
10
E
15
ENE
5
NW
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
SW
5
ESE
5
E
15
SW
5
SE
5
ENE
15
SW
5
E
Wind State
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
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
mod rain
cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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
  • 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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