Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 346 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Estero in the next 16 days are 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
To be honest, the first week or so is pretty flat and ordinary. We’ve got some small, weak swells and the wind is a bit of a mixed bag. The real story builds towards the end of the month and into the start of September, with a solid late-season pulse of SW groundswell that looks like the main event.
The standout spot is, without a doubt, El Estero – a consistent river-mouth setup that’s well-suited to an intermediate crew. The water here is running at 86°, which is a touch warmer than you’d expect for this time of year, so the shorty might feel a bit toasty.
We kick off Wednesday morning, 19th August, with a small 3ft SW swell at 15 seconds. The energy is moderate (362), and with a clean offshore breeze, it’s a decent enough start. The morning session is the go – the afternoons get a bit sketchy.
Thursday morning, 20th August, is similar but smaller, with 2ft SW swell and less energy (189). The offshore wind is still there, though, so you can get a few, but it’s nothing to write home about.
The next few days through to the 23rd are really just knee-high or smaller, with the swell dipping to 1ft. The energy drops way down (73-118), and it’s more of a longboard or no-board situation. The odd clean window pops up, but it’s ordinary.
Then, on Sunday morning, 23rd August, we see a spike in period – 19 seconds – with a 2ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (269), and the wind is clean. It’s small, but that long period has some shape. A hint of what’s coming.
The real action starts to build later in the week. Friday morning, 28th August, brings a 2ft SW swell at 19 seconds, and the energy jumps to 507. The wind is clean, and the conditions are *very good*. This is when you start to sit up.
But the absolute highlight lands on Saturday, 29th August. The swell pumps up to 6ft on the morning and 6ft in the afternoon, both from the SW. The energy is strong (1697 and 1617). The wind is offshore and clean in the morning, then goes glassy in the afternoon. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – the size and power will be a step up, so it’s not for the groms or beginners. The swell direction (SW) lines up perfectly with the optimum for El Estero, and the long period (16 seconds) means it’s a proper groundswell with good energy and shape, though it might wall up a bit on the beachier sections.
Sunday, 30th August, is still excellent in the morning with 5ft SW swell, clean offshore wind, and strong energy (1082). The afternoons get a bit lumpy with a cross-onshore wind.
The swell slowly eases through the start of September. Monday, 31st August, has 4ft SW swell and clean conditions – still very good. Tuesday, 1st September, is glassy in the morning with 3ft, but the wind shifts onshore in the arvo and messes it up.
We get a nice little spike on Thursday, 3rd September, as well – 3ft SW swell at 17 seconds, clean conditions, and moderate energy (514). It’s worth a look if you’ve got the time.
Overall, the first week is a bit of a write-off for anything decent. There’s a long gap of small, weak surf from the 21st to the 23rd, with only a few clean windows. The real payoff is from the 28th of August through to the 1st of September, with Saturday 29th being the absolute standout – big, clean, powerful, and for the experienced crew.
Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
355 | 350 | 238 | 183 | 138 | 83 | 76 | 54 | 100 | 95 | 155 | 97 | 184 | 260 | 330 | 255 | 305 | 322 | 211 | 206 | 191 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | off | on | off |
High Tide | 7:29PM1.98m | 7:50AM2.14m | 8:19PM1.83m | 8:42AM2.01m | 9:18PM1.72m | 9:42AM1.92m | 10:27PM1.68m | 10:48AM1.90m | 11:37PM1.71m | 11:52AM1.94m | 00:37AM1.80m | 12:47PM2.02m | 1:25AM1.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:26PM0.49m | 1:32AM0.59m | 2:16PM0.61m | 2:20AM0.72m | 3:14PM0.71m | 3:18AM0.82m | 4:20PM0.75m | 4:26AM0.86m | 5:27PM0.73m | 5:34AM0.84m | 6:25PM0.66m | 6:34AM0.77m | 7:13PM0.57m | ||||||||
5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 35 | 35 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 26 | 33 | 34 | 29 | 34 | 33 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | S 7 |
355 | 350 | 122 | 94 | 126 | 281 | 286 | 351 | 284 | 223 | 156 | 153 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 104 | 102 | 322 | 55 | 53 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
89 | 88 | 238 | 183 | 138 | 83 | 76 | 54 | 100 | 95 | 155 | 84 | 85 | 260 | 330 | 255 | 305 | 78 | 211 | 206 | 191 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | N 4 | NW 8 | N 6 | N 5 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | N 4 | N 5 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 36 | 36 | 3 | 11 | 68 | 98 | 97 | 184 | 84 | 75 | 72 | 69 | 36 | 35 | 31 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | — | NNE 5 | N 5 | — | N 5 | N 4 | WSW 6 | — | NNE 5 | WSW 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 3 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NE 3 | N 5 | N 4 |
4 | — | 7 | 11 | — | 2 | 6 | 16 | — | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 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.











