El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° 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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 415 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with SSW 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 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 15th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 15th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks for El Estero. It’s a slow start, but there’s some real magic brewing if you’re patient.

The first few days are paddling in the dark. Wednesday the 15th is the only immediate bright spot—clean, ridable waves with a solid 2ft SSW swell running on a 13-second period. The combined energy is moderate (453), and with offshore ENE wind first thing and glassy conditions by afternoon, it’s a nice little session. Not a standout, but a good way to dip your toes in.

Then we hit a long dry spell. From Thursday the 16th through to the end of the following week, the surf is mostly marginal or poor. Sure, there are small waves (1ft to 3ft), but the wind is cross-off or cross-on most of the time, and the energy drops. The period hovers around 12-15 seconds, but the swell is just too weak to get excited about. Sunday the 19th afternoon offers a brief glimmer—2ft SW swell, 18 seconds, clean offshore wind—but it’s a tease. The whole stretch from the 16th to the 23rd is a write-off for anything worth paddling for.

Now, hold on to your board. The real show starts Saturday the 25th of July. The morning brings a 3ft SW groundswell with a 21-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 883 (moderate). That’s a long-period swell, which means those waves will have shape and power, but at a beach-and-river setup like El Estero, they might break a little straight. Still, it’s clean and the wind is light. By Sunday the 26th, things get serious. The swell builds to 4ft SW, period 19 seconds, and energy hits 1016 (strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers—clean, glassy morning, and the river mouth should line up nicely. Monday the 27th is the absolute standout: 5ft SW swell, 18-second period, with glassy conditions and zero wind. The energy is a whopping 1388 (very strong). This is the best of the best in the whole forecast. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Into Tuesday the 28th, the swell holds at 5ft SW, but cross-on wind in the afternoon chops it up. Grab the morning instead. Wednesday the 29th still has clean 4ft SW swell with offshore wind, but the afternoon turns choppy. The very end of the window on Thursday the 30th offers one last clean morning with 4ft SW swell and 15-second period, but it’s not as strong.

Best on offer: Monday the 27th of July, morning. 5ft SW swell, 18-second period, glassy, calm wind. That’s as good as it gets. Next best is Sunday the 26th morning, and Saturday the 25th morning is a solid warm-up.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tue
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
2
1
1
0
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SW
13
1
SSW
13
0.5
SW
14
0.4
SW
15
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
13
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
197
181
196
206
172
326
103
75
178
140
192
164
286
170
194
192
366
361
313
301
293
Wind (km/h)
30
ENE
20
ENE
5
NW
15
ENE
20
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
25
ENE
15
NE
25
ENE
20
ENE
5
WNW
15
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
30
NE
20
ENE
25
NE
30
NE
Wind State
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:56AM2.41m
3:12PM2.63m
3:48AM2.52m
4:04PM2.62m
4:39AM2.59m
4:53PM2.56m
5:27AM2.59m
5:42PM2.45m
6:14AM2.54m
6:31PM2.31m
7:01AM2.44m
7:20PM2.15m
7:48AM2.32m
Low Tide
8:59AM0.19m
9:33PM-0.03m
9:54AM0.15m
10:22PM-0.04m
10:47AM0.16m
11:09PM0.01m
11:38AM0.21m
11:55PM0.11m
12:28PM0.30m
00:41AM0.25m
1:18PM0.40m
1:27AM0.41m
2:10PM0.51m
clear
clear
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clear
part cloud
part cloud
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thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:30
5:30
5:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:08
6:07
 mm
1
Temp °C
27
31
31
27
30
31
27
31
31
27
30
29
27
31
32
28
30
29
26
29
30
Feels °C
26
33
35
30
30
32
26
31
33
27
31
33
28
31
33
28
30
28
26
28
29
  • 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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