El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.9°C
1.7° 

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 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,532 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 04) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period. 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 4th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 4th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 5th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got one spot on the radar for the next couple of weeks: El Estero. This is a river mouth setup, which means it can really turn on with the right swell. The water’s sitting at a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, 86°, so you’ll be comfortable in a shorty or just boardshorts.

The first real action kicks off Friday morning, the 4th of September. We’ve got a solid 5ft groundswell rolling in from the SW, with a long 17 second period. That’s a proper long-period groundswell, and at a river mouth, that energy is going to wrap in and produce some well-shaped, lined-up waves. The combined energy is strong (1443), and with a light ENE breeze keeping it cross-off, the surf is going to be clean and inviting. This is the standout of the entire outlook. If you’re an experienced surfer, be on it. The afternoon swings onshore and gets choppy, so make the morning session.

Saturday morning, the 5th, is another cracker. Swell holds at 6ft, still from the SW, period dropping slightly to 16 seconds. The wind is offshore from the ENE at 6 mph, and the wave energy is still strong (1459). This is going to be excellent, clean surf for the experienced crew. The weekend mornings are the clear winners here.

Sunday the 6th keeps the quality rolling in the morning. 5ft of SW swell, 14 second period, and light offshore ENE wind. The energy is down a notch (862) but still moderate and clean. It’s a very good session. The afternoons all weekend get a bit messy with chance of storms and onshore breezes, so stick to the early bird slots.

By Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th, the swell drops back to 4ft and 2ft, but the conditions are still clean. Tuesday afternoon even goes glassy with a 2ft wave from the SW. The combined energy is moderate (514). It’s fun, small-wave gear territory.

The next notable return of quality comes on Wednesday the 9th. The morning is clean with offshore wind, but the real treat is the afternoon: glassy calm, 4ft of SW swell at 16 seconds, and a combined energy of 730. That’s a clean, fun afternoon session.

Thursday the 10th has a bit more size (4ft) but the wind picks up in the morning (16 mph NE) making it a bit tricky. The afternoon goes offshore and clean again. Not a standout, but worth a look.

The following week shows a gradual decline in size, but conditions remain mostly clean through the mornings. The 16th of September morning brings a little bump back to 4ft, with a 16 second period and light offshore ESE wind, energy of 726. That’s a nice surprise for mid-September.

The 18th of September morning is a real wildcard: 3ft, but from a 21 second period groundswell, glassy calm. That’s a very long-period pulse, which will make the waves at the river mouth stand up and peel, even if they’re not big. The combined energy is moderate (738). It’s a morning for the purists.

There are no other breaks in the mix, so El Estero is your only option. It’s a consistent river mouth, and the crowds are often there, so expect company, especially on the good mornings. For the best of the best, lock in Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th mornings. After that, keep an eye on the 9th and 16th for clean, smaller sessions.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
1
4
4
2
3
3
0
3
3
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SW
17
1.6
SW
17
1.6
SW
16
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.7
SW
18
0.8
SW
13
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.3
SW
18
1.3
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1297
1519
1314
1420
1164
949
833
833
658
507
363
290
312
224
302
299
669
985
1074
823
897
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
15
SW
10
E
10
ENE
15
SW
10
E
10
ENE
15
SW
5
SSE
5
SE
10
ENE
5
NW
15
ENE
5
S
10
E
15
ENE
0
SSE
15
ENE
25
NE
10
ESE
15
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
7:53PM1.99m
8:20AM2.23m
9:01PM1.92m
9:31AM2.16m
10:19PM1.93m
10:48AM2.16m
11:35PM2.03m
12:00PM2.22m
00:40AM2.19m
1:02PM2.31m
1:35AM2.37m
1:55PM2.40m
2:23AM2.51m
Low Tide
1:47PM0.44m
1:56AM0.53m
2:52PM0.51m
3:07AM0.61m
4:06PM0.53m
4:26AM0.63m
5:19PM0.48m
5:43AM0.56m
6:24PM0.38m
6:49AM0.44m
7:19PM0.27m
7:46AM0.30m
8:08PM0.18m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:50
5:49
5:49
5:47
5:46
5:46
 mm
3
10
11
8
7
3
Temp °C
30
29
28
30
29
28
30
29
26
28
25
26
32
31
27
32
32
27
33
33
28
Feels °C
32
31
32
32
31
32
32
31
29
32
29
30
37
35
29
35
36
29
33
35
29
  • 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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