Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 897 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s 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 (Sep 11) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
We’ve got a 16-day stretch for El Estero, a river mouth break exposed to the west-northwest. The start is a bit slow. Thursday the 10th brings a 4ft SW swell with a long 16-second period and clean waves, but that east-northeast wind is a fresh cross-offshore breeze. The energy is solid (843). Water temp is 86°, running a touch warmer than average – you’ll be fine in boardshorts.
Friday the 11th drops a little to 4ft, still that long-period groundswell, but the wind shifts – morning is okay with a moderate NE cross-off, afternoon gets a cross-shore from the south that messes with the surface. Saturday the 12th has smaller 3ft swell, but the morning cleans up with a light NE breeze. Sunday the 13th is tiny at 2ft, but Sunday afternoon goes glassy – dead calm, which is a treat even if the energy is weak (206).
The real highlight first week is Wednesday the 16th morning. You’ve got a 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, light offshore ENE wind, clean conditions, and energy at 866. This is the best of the bunch – the river mouth will handle that long-period groundswell well, offering clean, lined-up waves. Crowds are possible since it’s consistent, but the quality makes it worth paddling out.
Tuesday the 15th morning is also good: a 3ft swell with offshore wind, clean, building energy. Thursday the 17th morning holds steady at 3ft with light cross-offshore wind. Then it fades.
There’s a dry spell from Saturday the 19th to Tuesday the 22nd – onshore winds, small swell, poor quality. Not worth the drive.
But then Wednesday the 23rd morning fires up for the experienced crew. A 8ft SW swell rolls in, but the period is short at 8 seconds – that’s bumpy, powerful, and dumpy. The energy is strong (1341). Light cross-offshore wind from the SSE keeps it clean, but at that size and short period, it’s only for experts. Afternoon hits 8ft from the WSW with a cross-onshore breeze – messy and heavy. Kite surfers might dig that more.
After that, it’s back to small, onshore junk. Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th are not worth your time. The last day, Friday afternoon, has a weird 3ft swell with a 21-second period, but it’s blown out by onshore WNW wind.
Bottom line: Wednesday the 16th morning is your golden window – 4ft, clean, offshore, long period. The second week’s big swell on the 23rd is for experts only and comes with a short period caveat. First week wins by a long shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 823 | 897 | 701 | 623 | 459 | 346 | 341 | 215 | 140 | 138 | 299 | 171 | 246 | 460 | 266 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:23AM2.51m | 2:43PM2.46m | 3:07AM2.61m | 3:27PM2.48m | 3:48AM2.64m | 4:09PM2.44m | 4:27AM2.60m | 4:49PM2.37m | 5:06AM2.52m | 5:29PM2.26m | 5:44AM2.39m | 6:09PM2.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:08PM0.18m | 8:36AM0.19m | 8:53PM0.12m | 9:21AM0.12m | 9:34PM0.11m | 10:03AM0.10m | 10:14PM0.15m | 10:44AM0.14m | 10:53PM0.23m | 11:23AM0.22m | 11:31PM0.34m | 12:03PM0.33m | 00:10AM0.47m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 8 | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | 5 | 4 | — | 6 | 28 |
Temp °C | 33 | 27 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 28 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 27 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 823 | 897 | 701 | 623 | 459 | 346 | 341 | 215 | 101 | 99 | 108 | 113 | 113 | 111 | 108 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 15 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 49 | 51 | 63 | 47 | 51 | 58 | 49 | 57 | 140 | 138 | 134 | 171 | 246 | 460 | 266 | 88 | 96 | 91 | 86 | 80 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | N 4 | N 4 | NW 10 | SW 18 | N 4 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NW 13 | N 4 | SW 23 |
| kJ | 20 | 36 | 34 | 12 | 6 | 24 | 80 | 10 | 51 | 68 | 299 | 73 | 71 | 50 | 252 | 109 | 95 | 43 | 3 | 86 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 15 | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 8 | — | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 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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