El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.9° C
1.9° 

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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SW swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s 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 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. 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 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 6th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 7th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 18s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 8th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for our local stretch.

Alright, folks, it's a bit of a slow burner for the next couple of weeks. We've got a consistent pulse of SW swell running through the whole period, but the wind and the quality are going to be the real story. The water is sittin' at a warm 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the steamer at home.

The main break is El Estero, a river mouth that's exposed to the swell. The action kicks off on Thursday, August 6th, but it's a shaky start. You've got a risk of thunderstorms and a cross-offshore wind making things a bit messy with 2ft of SW swell. The combined energy is weak (125), so it's not really worth paddling for. That afternoon turns to a poor cross-on breeze, so it's a write-off.

Friday, August 7th is where the tide starts to turn. A solid ENE offshore wind kicks in by the morning, blowing cleanly at 12 mph. The swell is still small at 2ft from the SSW, but the energy jumps up to moderate (414). That's a clean, fun little wave for the early birds. The afternoon gets a bit crossed up, so make the most of the morning.

Saturday, August 8th is the first real standout. The morning has a clean 3ft SSW swell with a moderate offshore breeze and a solid energy reading of 580. The afternoon is even better, with the swell lifting to 4ft from the SW and a clean, light cross-offshore wind. The energy is still strong (517), and the conditions are clean. This is your best bet for the first week.

Sunday, August 9th offers a full day of offshore winds with a solid 3ft SW swell, so the morning session will be a treat. The energy is moderate (431). The theme continues through Monday, August 10th, with a notable glassy afternoon session on offer. The 3ft SW swell, combined with glassy conditions, means the surface will be like a mirror - a real treat for the soul.

Tuesday, August 11th is a split day. The morning is a beauty with a light offshore wind and a 3ft SW swell (375 energy). The afternoon, however, gets ruined by a strong cross-on breeze, so get out early.

The swell picks up in size heading into the second week. Friday, August 14th brings a solid 5ft SW swell with a very long period of 18 seconds. The energy is strong (1342). This is groundswell, and it's going to be a beauty for the experienced surfers. The wind is light and cross-off, making for excellent conditions. The only caveat is that with such a long period, it might break a bit straight at the beach, but the river mouth can handle it. The afternoon is looking clean and excellent.

Saturday, August 15th keeps the energy high with a 5ft SW swell, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-offshore in the morning, which will make it choppy. The afternoon eases with a lighter breeze and a 5ft swell, offering excellent conditions for the experienced crew. The size is pushing into the "experts only" zone.

The rest of the window, from Sunday, August 16th to Thursday, August 21st, holds a consistent 3ft to 4ft SW swell. The wind is a mixed bag of offshores and cross-offshores, with a few glassy windows thrown in (like the afternoon of the 16th and the 19th). The best bet for the late period is Monday, August 17th afternoon, with a clean 4ft SW swell and a light offshore wind. The energy is moderate (511) and the conditions are clean.

So, to wrap it up: the standout window is Saturday, August 8th for the smaller, cleaner fun, and Friday, August 14th for the bigger, more powerful groundswell. If you're an experienced surfer, the 14th is your day. If you want a more relaxed, clean wave, the 8th is the one.

Stay frosty, and I'll see you out there.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
1
3
2
3
2
0
2
2
1
2
3
2
1
2
1
0
2
Swell
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
14
0.4
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.8
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
0.6
SSW
20
0.8
SW
14
0.9
SW
18
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
125
64
212
209
305
376
441
509
309
401
384
241
199
331
253
218
455
212
211
206
181
Wind (km/h)
10
SSE
10
WNW
10
E
20
E
5
WSW
10
ENE
20
ENE
5
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
5
E
15
ENE
10
E
15
WSW
5
NE
15
NE
15
SW
10
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
8:10PM1.96m
8:39AM2.27m
9:15PM1.90m
9:45AM2.25m
10:28PM1.90m
10:57AM2.26m
11:42PM1.98m
12:07PM2.32m
00:50AM2.13m
1:10PM2.41m
1:49AM2.30m
2:07PM2.50m
2:42AM2.47m
Low Tide
2:09PM0.49m
2:13AM0.52m
3:11PM0.52m
3:17AM0.57m
4:21PM0.51m
4:30AM0.58m
5:32PM0.44m
5:45AM0.52m
6:37PM0.33m
6:54AM0.42m
7:35PM0.20m
7:54AM0.30m
8:27PM0.09m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
<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>
6:05
6:04
6:04
6:04
6:02
6:02
6:02
 mm
7
4
2
2
Temp °C
28
28
26
31
30
27
31
31
27
31
32
27
31
29
25
30
29
27
31
29
27
Feels °C
32
31
28
33
33
31
31
34
27
30
33
29
34
33
25
33
31
32
34
32
30
  • 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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