
Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,074 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same stretch in feet, because that’s how some of us measure it.
We’re looking at a solid run at El Estero, a river-mouth break that gets exposed to WNW swell. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
It all kicks off Sunday morning, September 6th. The swell is a clean 5ft from the SW with a long 14-second period, pumping moderate energy (855). The wind is glassy out of the east, so the waves will be clean and inviting. This is the top session of the first week – perfect conditions for a proper paddle out. The river mouth should handle that long-period energy well.
Sunday afternoon gets a bit cross-on and choppy, so don’t sleep on the morning. Monday the 7th is solid again in the morning with 4ft from the SW, cross-off wind, and clean conditions (539 energy). Thursday morning, September 10th, is another big highlight. The swell pushes to 4ft from the SW with a long 17-second period, and the energy is strong (1110). Offshore wind from the ENE at 15 mph will have the waves groomed and hollow. This is for the experienced crew only, but it’s going to be pumping.
The second week is smaller but still has fun windows. Friday the 11th afternoon goes glassy, and Saturday the 12th morning is clean with 4ft. There’s a small lull around the 13th and 14th with waves around 2ft, but it picks up again on the 15th with a glassy morning and 3ft from the SW, carrying good long period. The final standout is Sunday morning, September 20th – glassy conditions, 3ft from the SW with a very long 19-second period, and moderate energy (504). For a river mouth, that long period should mean some nicely lined-up sets.
Same story on the afternoons: thunderstorms and onshore wind are common, so hit it early. This spot can get crowded, so plan ahead to avoid the pack.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
949 | 833 | 746 | 658 | 507 | 410 | 290 | 312 | 224 | 302 | 299 | 437 | 985 | 1074 | 823 | 897 | 701 | 623 | 459 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 9:31AM2.16m | 10:19PM1.93m | 10:48AM2.16m | 11:35PM2.03m | 12:00PM2.22m | 00:40AM2.19m | 1:02PM2.31m | 1:35AM2.37m | 1:55PM2.40m | 2:23AM2.51m | 2:43PM2.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:07AM0.61m | 4:06PM0.53m | 4:26AM0.63m | 5:19PM0.48m | 5:43AM0.56m | 6:24PM0.38m | 6:49AM0.44m | 7:19PM0.27m | 7:46AM0.30m | 8:08PM0.18m | 8:36AM0.19m | 8:53PM0.12m | |||||||
— | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 33 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 35 | 35 | 27 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 36 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
949 | 833 | 746 | 658 | 507 | 410 | 191 | 245 | 199 | 302 | 299 | 437 | 985 | 1074 | 823 | 897 | 701 | 623 | 459 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SW 19 | SW 13 | S 6 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
23 | 33 | 72 | 102 | 110 | 130 | 290 | 49 | 224 | 154 | 144 | 120 | 34 | 63 | 49 | 50 | 71 | 71 | 90 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 19 | W 10 | S 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
18 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 32 | 45 | 155 | 312 | 66 | 64 | 231 | 54 | 37 | 36 | 26 | 26 | 34 | 19 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | NNW 10 | N 4 | NNE 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | 113 | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 8 | — | — | — | 38 | 9 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










