
Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with 573 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (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 9PM. 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 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for El Estero over the next couple of weeks.
First up, we’ve got a little bit of a slow start, but the river mouth is offering up a consistent run of waves. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 85°, so it’s a nice balmy session.
The best bet on the board is Thursday afternoon, July 30th. We’ve got a clean 4ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period, and the wind is going offshore from the ENE at 19 mph. That’s going to set up some really clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy is moderate (603), so there’s plenty of push. It’s a consistent spot, so you won’t be waiting around forever. Be aware that crowds are likely here, so get your spot early.
Friday morning, July 31st, still has some clean 3ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-off, so it won’t be quite as perfect. The energy drops to 382. Saturday morning, August 1st, is smaller at 3ft, but still clean with a cross-off NE breeze. By Saturday afternoon, the wind swings offshore and it cleans up again with a light breeze. Sunday morning, August 2nd, is small but clean, though the swell is fading to 2ft.
We hit a bit of a lull from Sunday afternoon through the middle of the next week. The wave heights drop to 1ft-2ft and the wind turns onshore, making it mostly rubbish. There’s a tiny window on Thursday morning, August 6th, with a glassy 2ft swell, but it’s very ordinary.
Now, looking ahead to the second week, things get more interesting. Friday, August 7th, sees a nice jump in period with a 2ft SW groundswell coming in at 18 seconds. That’s a very long period, which means it’s going to be a bit straighter at the beach, but the river mouth can handle it. The combined energy jumps to 420. Saturday, August 8th, is looking like a real standout. The afternoon session has a 4ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and the wind is offshore from the ENE at 6 mph. The energy is strong (574), and the forecast is for very good conditions. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.
The following week has a mix of clean mornings with offshore winds and onshore afternoons that ruin it. The session on Thursday morning, August 13th, is worth a mention: a 3ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period and a gentle offshore breeze from the ENE. The energy is strong (636), and it’s forecast for very good conditions. Again, a promising long-range call.
Overall, it’s a consistent run at El Estero with a few really clean windows. The best bets are the afternoon of July 30th and the afternoon of August 8th. Get out there when the wind is right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 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 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
667 | 589 | 485 | 357 | 342 | 326 | 238 | 234 | 147 | 108 | 171 | 167 | 231 | 208 | 84 | 108 | 73 | 93 | 50 | 49 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:55AM2.36m | 7:16PM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:15PM0.46m | 1:19AM0.46m | |||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 33 | 34 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 35 | 29 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
667 | 589 | 485 | 357 | 342 | 326 | 238 | 234 | 147 | 108 | 171 | 68 | 231 | 208 | 75 | 96 | 94 | 83 | 47 | 47 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | N 4 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 7 | SW 14 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
15 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 72 | 66 | 124 | 104 | 32 | 167 | 48 | 47 | 83 | 108 | 73 | 93 | 50 | 49 | 73 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 4 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 6 |
8 | 8 | 25 | 25 | 3 | 24 | 27 | 16 | 14 | 23 | 85 | 116 | 69 | 66 | 84 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 33 | 34 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | N 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | ENE 2 | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNE 5 | NE 3 | N 3 | N 4 |
15 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 11 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 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.











