Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, SW swell with 685 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s comin’ our way for El Estero.
We’ve got a solid run of swell on the radar, kickin’ off with a bang and then building into some proper long-period groundswell action later on. It’s not all smooth sailing, but there are some real gems in the mix if you pick your moments.
The window opens up Wednesday afternoon, July 29th. We’re lookin’ at a clean 5ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is pumping with a combined energy of 1149. Conditions are absolutely pristine with glassy wind, but listen, this is one for the experienced crew only. At 5ft with that kind of power and period, it’s gonna be a handful for beginners. The water’s sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Thursday the 30th stays clean in the afternoon with a 4ft SW swell and light offshore wind. That’s a more manageable size, and the conditions will be sweet. Saturday, August 1st, the swell dips a bit but stays clean in the mornings, with an offshore wind. It’ll be a little smaller, around 3ft, but still fun.
Okay, the true standout here is the stretch from Monday, August 10th through to Wednesday, August 13th. This is what we wait for. The swell settles into a consistent 3ft to 4ft range, but the period goes proper long—we’re talkin’ 16 to 21 seconds. The energy numbers are climbing into the high 600s and 800s, which tells you there’s serious juice in the water. The mornings are the key: glassy clean with a light offshore breeze. This is where the long-period groundswell will really shine at this river mouth. It’ll be lined up and offering some beautiful, long walls. For the absolute cream of the crop, lock in the morning of Monday, August 10th and Tuesday, August 11th. That’s the best on offer. It’s not gonna be super crowded, but it’s a consistent spot, so you might see a few others out there.
Just a heads up, the afternoons in that period often get a cross-onshore wind, so you’ll want to be on it early. And the first week features some smaller days with cross-offshore breezes, but the wave quality is just ordinary compared to that second week. For the most part, the afternoons around the end of July and early August are poor with cross-onshore winds.
Stay stoked, and pick your tides.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 856 | 667 | 589 | 485 | 357 | 342 | 326 | 238 | 234 | 147 | 108 | 171 | 167 | 231 | 208 | 111 | 108 | 93 | 93 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:14AM2.13m | 3:20PM2.28m | 3:51AM2.22m | 3:57PM2.30m | 4:26AM2.30m | 4:34PM2.29m | 5:01AM2.35m | 5:11PM2.25m | 5:36AM2.38m | 5:49PM2.19m | 6:13AM2.38m | 6:30PM2.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:02PM0.35m | 9:12AM0.52m | 9:37PM0.31m | 9:52AM0.47m | 10:11PM0.28m | 10:30AM0.44m | 10:45PM0.29m | 11:08AM0.42m | 11:19PM0.31m | 11:47AM0.42m | 11:54PM0.35m | 12:29PM0.43m | 00:34AM0.40m | ||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 2 |
Temp °C | 28 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 34 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 28 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | S 7 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 856 | 667 | 589 | 485 | 357 | 342 | 326 | 238 | 234 | 147 | 108 | 171 | 52 | 231 | 208 | 47 | 73 | 92 | 69 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | N 4 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 12 | N 5 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 23 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 72 | 11 | 124 | 104 | 103 | 118 | 48 | 47 | 111 | 108 | 93 | 93 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | S 7 | S 12 | S 7 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 8 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 11 | 12 | 25 | 4 | 24 | 46 | 66 | 14 | 65 | 23 | 167 | 69 | 66 | 84 | 15 | 61 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 |
| kJ | 15 | 16 | — | 7 | 5 | — | 4 | 10 | — | 12 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 29 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 29 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 13 | 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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