El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° C
1.8° 

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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 21s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,858 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 22nd Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 21s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 28th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, checking in on the local scene. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t write this stretch off just yet. The real action kicks off later in the week, with a couple of proper standouts that are worth clearing the schedule for. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The first decent window opens up on Thursday afternoon, July 23rd at El Estero. It’s a river mouth setup, which loves a good south-west groundswell. We’re looking at a tiny 1 ft swell on paper, but the period is a massive 26 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. Combined energy is only moderate (392), but it’s also glassy with the wind barely a whisper. That’s clean, lined-up little peelers, perfect for a longboard or a fun mid-length. It’s a consistent spot, so it’ll be working, but expect a few others to have the same idea – crowds are often here.

Friday, July 24th sees a jump in energy. The morning is clean but a bit on the small side (3 ft, 24-second period, strong energy at 982). The afternoon is where it gets interesting. The swell drops slightly to 2 ft, but the period stays long at 24 seconds, and the energy is still strong (598). The wind is a clean cross-off, and the conditions are labelled as “very good.” This is the first of the real quality windows.

Now, the standout. Saturday, July 25th is a solid day. Morning has 3 ft of long-period SW swell (21 seconds) with strong energy (849) and clean cross-off winds. But the afternoon? That’s the one. The wind drops to glassy, the swell holds at 3 ft with a 20-second period, and the energy is still strong (611). That’s clean, glassy conditions on a consistent river mouth break. This is the best of the weekend.

Sunday, July 26th keeps the run going. The morning is clean with 4 ft of SW swell (19 seconds) and strong energy (963). The afternoon glassed off again with 4 ft swell (18 seconds) and very strong wave energy (1118). This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 4 ft, it’s still very manageable for a confident intermediate.

Monday, July 27th is a sleeper hit. The afternoon has 4 ft of groundswell (19 seconds), very strong energy (1403), and light offshore wind. The conditions are clean and excellent for experienced surfers.

Tuesday, July 28th is the biggest push of the forecast. The morning sees 6 ft of SW swell (18 seconds) with very strong wave energy (1766) and a clean offshore breeze. That’s a solid step up. At 6 ft, beginners should sit this one out. The afternoon gets even bigger at 6 ft, but the wind swings cross-on and makes it choppy, so the morning is the clear winner.

Wednesday, July 29th morning is a gem. 6 ft of SW swell (16 seconds), very strong energy (1420), and a glassy cross-off breeze. That’s another session for the experienced crew.

After that, the swell slowly backs off into the first week of August. The energy drops from very strong back to moderate, and the winds become more fickle, with a lot of cross-on and onshore afternoon slop. There are some small, clean mornings around August 1st and August 3rd with 2-3 ft of SW swell, but nothing that screams must-surf. The afternoon of August 3rd is worth a mention – 2 ft, 13-second period, and glassy conditions with clean look. It’s a fun little window.

If I’m picking one true standout, it’s Saturday afternoon, July 25th at El Estero. Glassy, 3 ft of long-period groundswell, and the river mouth will handle that direction perfectly. The second best is Monday afternoon, July 27th – similar size, light offshore wind, and very strong energy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
1
1
2
0
2
3
4
3
3
4
3
4
4
3
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.4
SW
26
1.1
SW
8
0.8
SW
24
0.6
SW
24
1.1
SW
21
0.9
SW
21
0.9
SW
20
1.3
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.1
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.6
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
250
173
158
92
93
171
176
661
347
1015
756
569
1210
920
1099
1199
791
800
1591
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
15
NE
20
E
20
E
15
ENE
5
NE
10
W
15
NE
15
NNE
10
NE
10
NE
5
SW
15
ENE
10
ENE
5
W
15
E
15
ENE
5
ESE
10
E
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
off
off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
8:37AM2.19m
9:05PM1.86m
9:29AM2.08m
10:05PM1.77m
10:26AM2.02m
11:08PM1.73m
11:25AM2.00m
00:09AM1.75m
12:21PM2.03m
1:04AM1.82m
1:12PM2.09m
1:52AM1.91m
Low Tide
2:15AM0.56m
3:04PM0.60m
3:07AM0.68m
4:02PM0.66m
4:04AM0.77m
5:03PM0.68m
5:05AM0.80m
6:02PM0.65m
6:04AM0.78m
6:55PM0.59m
6:58AM0.73m
7:42PM0.51m
mod rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
 mm
6
1
2
13
2
6
3
1
4
Temp °C
26
29
29
27
29
29
27
30
31
26
28
29
26
29
28
26
30
31
27
Feels °C
28
30
30
26
31
32
31
30
32
29
31
33
28
33
32
28
32
34
31
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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