El Estero Surf Break

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

Issued: 5 am 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° C

1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 6 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,263 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 16s. 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 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 6th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 20s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 6th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 19s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 7th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here, checking in on your local spot.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The forecast is starting with a gap, as there's nothing really happening just yet for the next few days. Things are set to kick off on Monday, July 6th at El Estero.

This is a river mouth break, and it’s pretty consistent, so it’s got that going for it. The water is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, sitting around 86°.

Monday morning we see some small swell starting to fill in, 2 ft from the SW with a super long period of 20 seconds. That's proper groundswell energy, and with moderate energy in the water (770), it’s a promising start. The wind is offshore from the ENE at 12 mph, which will keep things clean. It’s a good sign, but the size is small.

The real standout, the one to circle on your calendar, is Tuesday, July 7th. The morning starts clean again with that ENE offshore breeze, and the swell picks up to a solid 4 ft from the SW. The period is still a very long 18 seconds, and the energy is pumping at (1126). This is excellent surf for those with a bit of experience. Then, get this – Tuesday afternoon is an absolute gem. The wind goes dead calm, glassy, from the WNW at 0 mph. The swell bumps up to 5 ft from the SW, still with that lovely 18-second period and strong energy (1263). That’s the best of the whole run right there. Glassy conditions with a solid, long-period SW groundswell.

Wednesday morning the swell holds at 5 ft, but the wind goes cross-offshore, which isn’t as perfect as the previous day. The period drops a touch to 16 seconds, and the energy dips a bit (940). Wednesday afternoon we’re back to glassy conditions from the SW, with a smaller but still fun 4 ft swell.

From Thursday, July 9th onwards, things start to taper off. The swell drops below the 3 ft mark, and we get a lot of funky weather with risk of thunderstorms and onshore winds spoiling the shape. There are some cleaner windows, like Saturday morning, July 11th with a light offshore, but the swell is only 3 ft. Sunday, July 12th afternoon gets glassy again, with a 3 ft swell, which is worth a look for a longboard.

After that, the swell gets pretty small for a stretch. There’s a gap with really marginal surf until we get a bit of a pulse on Sunday, July 19th afternoon with 3 ft, but the wind is messy. The very end of the run, Monday morning, July 20th, shows a solid offshore wind again from the ENE with 3 ft swell, but it’s a long way out.

So, to sum it up: The whole first week is the main event. The absolute best is Tuesday afternoon, July 7th. That glassy 5 ft SW groundswell is the session to aim for. Tuesday morning is also a cracker. Wednesday has good size but slightly less perfect wind. The second week is much quieter, with only small, clean windows for the patient surfer. The crowd factor at El Estero is "often," so expect company when it's good.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 69mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
4
4
3
2
3
3
2
1
2
2
0
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
19
1
SW
19
1.2
SW
18
1.4
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SW
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
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
408
738
730
915
1263
1179
940
748
657
544
419
309
382
318
403
377
362
323
297
264
130
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
10
W
25
ENE
20
ENE
5
WNW
20
ENE
20
ENE
5
SW
10
ENE
15
NE
10
SW
10
E
10
ENE
15
SW
10
E
5
E
10
WSW
15
E
15
ENE
5
NW
10
ENE
Wind State
off
on
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
glassy
off
High Tide
6:56PM2.04m
7:27AM2.24m
7:43PM1.97m
8:14AM2.25m
8:38PM1.92m
9:08AM2.27m
9:40PM1.90m
10:09AM2.30m
10:48PM1.92m
11:14AM2.35m
11:56PM2.00m
12:19PM2.43m
1:00AM2.13m
Low Tide
12:56PM0.59m
1:03AM0.49m
1:44PM0.59m
1:48AM0.53m
2:39PM0.58m
2:40AM0.56m
3:39PM0.54m
3:41AM0.56m
4:44PM0.48m
4:47AM0.53m
5:49PM0.38m
5:55AM0.46m
6:51PM0.26m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:26
5:26
5:26
5:26
5:26
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
 mm
1
2
7
5
38
16
Temp °C
31
29
27
32
31
28
31
31
28
31
29
28
30
29
28
29
28
25
27
28
26
Feels °C
35
33
29
35
36
30
33
36
32
34
32
32
34
32
32
33
32
28
31
32
29
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
19
1
SW
19
1.2
SW
18
1.4
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.4
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
S
7
0.9
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
Energy kJ
362
738
730
915
1263
1179
940
748
657
544
419
309
382
318
403
377
362
323
77
264
130
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
20
1
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.6
S
8
0.7
S
12
0.8
S
12
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.7
S
9
0.7
S
9
0.7
S
10
0.7
S
9
0.7
S
8
0.7
S
7
0.7
S
7
0.7
S
7
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SSW
7
0.6
SSW
7
Energy kJ
408
465
255
211
51
136
174
110
110
87
85
85
87
76
68
48
43
50
297
60
29
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
S
12
0.1
W
15
0.3
N
5
0.3
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
18
0.5
N
5
0.5
S
16
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
15
0.4
S
8
Energy kJ
60
56
56
53
73
4
4
47
37
108
11
134
86
71
120
42
18
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
NNE
4
0.3
NNE
5
0.4
NNW
5
0.5
N
5
0.4
NNE
5
0.4
NNE
4
0.3
NNE
4
0.3
N
4
Energy kJ
11
4
8
11
8
6
4
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Distance (km)
0
10
29
0
0
13
29
0
0
10
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
6
6
5
8
6
5
5
5
9
9
7
4
  • 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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