Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 12 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: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 326 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period. 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 1.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) 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 1.0m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty again, doing the numbers in feet and miles per hour for those who think in old money.
Let’s talk El Estero. It’s a river mouth setup, exposed, and the water is a balmy 86°F – a fair bit warmer than what’s normal for this time of year. You’ll be in boardshorts.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Not enough energy in the water to get excited about. Things finally turn the corner on Tuesday afternoon (14th July) . The wind goes glassy, and we get a solid 2ft of SSW swell at 14 seconds. The energy is a decent 499 (moderate wave energy), and it’ll be clean as a whistle. That’s your first real session.
Wednesday morning (15th July) is a cracker. A moderate offshore breeze from the ENE at 12 mph, with a clean 2ft of SSW swell. The energy is 358 (moderate wave energy), and the waves will be peeling off nicely. A great morning for a longboard.
The standout of the entire 16 days is Tuesday afternoon (19th July) . Offshore wind from the East at 9 mph, holding up a clean 3ft of SSW groundswell. The combined energy is 486 (moderate wave energy), and the 12-second period means proper shape. This is the session you want to be on. Thursday morning (23rd July) is also good for a tiny wave board – just 2ft of swell, but the wind is offshore and the surface is glassy. Energy is only 96 (weak), but it’ll be fun.
Then we get a weird one on Saturday morning (25th July) . A 21-second period swell. That’s a very long period groundswell, energy at 537 (strong). But at a river mouth, a 21-second period can make the waves fat and dumpy. It’s 2ft and clean with an offshore, but it’s a spot for the experienced local who knows the sandbanks. The wind is a moderate offshore at 12 mph, so it’s not a total loss.
Crowds are a regular thing here, so for those Tuesday and Wednesday windows, be in the water early. The swell sits mostly between 2ft and 3ft – comfortable for everyone. The second week is consistent but nothing to set the world on fire; a few 2ft mornings with offshores, but nothing that’ll make you call in sick.
That’s the long and short of it from me.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 284 | 318 | 164 | 200 | 125 | 88 | 140 | 207 | 197 | 181 | 196 | 206 | 196 | 326 | 276 | 75 | 178 | 232 | 206 | 164 | 286 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | on | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:53PM2.56m | 5:27AM2.59m | 5:42PM2.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:09PM0.01m | 11:38AM0.21m | 11:55PM0.11m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 34 | 27 | 33 | 34 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 35 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 284 | 318 | 47 | 200 | 125 | 159 | 155 | 207 | 139 | 181 | 196 | 206 | 196 | 326 | 276 | 195 | 178 | 232 | 206 | 164 | 286 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | SW 13 | S 7 | S 16 | N 4 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | N 5 | SW 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 7 |
| kJ | 38 | 37 | 164 | 35 | 132 | 9 | 140 | 140 | 144 | 164 | 129 | 80 | 91 | 40 | 68 | 67 | 11 | 140 | 150 | 146 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 7 | SW 13 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | N 5 | SSW 16 | S 12 | S 13 | WSW 20 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 16 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 24 | 10 | 63 | 134 | 25 | 88 | 18 | 152 | 197 | 13 | 86 | 72 | 89 | 39 | 103 | 75 | 76 | 81 | 113 | 13 | 96 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 4 | NNE 5 | — | — | NNE 4 | — | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNE 4 | N 5 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | 10 | 7 | — | — | 3 | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 15 | 21 | — | 7 | 24 | 11 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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