El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.8°C
1.6° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 15s 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 26) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 26th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 15s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 28th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

We’re starting quiet, but there’s a proper pulse of groundswell building for the end of August and into the start of September that’s got my attention. The first few days are small, but the ocean is waking up.

El Estero (Santa Cruz) is the only spot in the game, a river mouth setup that’s consistent and exposed to the WNW. The water is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice.

We kick off the surf window on Wednesday the 26th, but it’s a slow starter. Morning brings a tiny 2ft SW swell with a long 15-second period, but a moderate breeze from the ENE keeps it cross-off. The combined energy is weak (140), and the word is poor surf conditions. Not one to paddle out for. The afternoon improves a little with a lighter offshore ESE breeze, but it’s still only surfable in a very ordinary way.

Thursday the 27th is more of the same: 2ft SW swell, but the period stretches to 18 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (230). The morning is cross-off, but the afternoon session with a light NE cross-off breeze and that long-period groundswell is where you’ll find a clean, small wave. It’s a marginal call, but if you’re desperate, it’s there.

Friday the 28th is a write-off for paddling. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW, but a fresh 30 km/h ENE breeze makes it messy. The combined energy is strong (689), but the conditions are poor. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Now, the real standout arrives Saturday the 29th. The morning is the pick of the first week. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SW, a solid 16-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (1230). The wind is a moderate offshore from the ENE. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and with good shape. The afternoon turns onshore, so get on it early.

Sunday the 30th holds some size at 5ft from the SW, with a 14-second period. The combined energy is strong (958). The morning cross-off from the ENE keeps it clean, making for very good surf. A solid longboard-to-shortboard wave.

Monday the 31st drops back to 4ft, but the period is still a solid 13 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (460). Both morning and afternoon have light cross-off winds, so expect good, clean conditions. A nice, less-pressured day.

Tuesday the 1st of September stays small at 3ft, but the morning has a gentle offshore from the east. The waves are clean, but it’s a smaller day. The afternoon turns cross-off from the SSE with a moderate breeze, which is less ideal.

The top standouts for the window are Saturday the 29th of August and Saturday the 5th of September. Saturday the 5th is a beauty. The swell is 5ft from the SW, with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (1264). The wind is glassy, and I mean glassy. It’s going to be perfect. The break is consistent, but it can get crowded often, so get there early for the best of it.

Sunday the 6th of September is another gem. The swell eases to 4ft, but the morning has a light offshore, and the afternoon goes glassy. Very good surf for a long, relaxed session.

The second week has some nice pulses. Thursday the 10th of September morning has 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, combined energy of 1021, and a clean offshore breeze. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The afternoon is a write-off with a light cross-on.

Bottom line: This is a solid 16-day window for El Estero. There’s a dry spell at the very start, but the 29th of August and the 5th of September are the true standouts. Get in the water.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
3
4
3
4
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.3
SW
19
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
18
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
19
0.7
SW
19
1.4
SW
18
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
110
107
74
154
155
251
531
358
1215
1230
1314
1105
911
821
621
451
386
336
260
220
223
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
10
ESE
15
E
20
NE
10
NE
15
ENE
30
ENE
30
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
10
WSW
10
ENE
15
ENE
5
S
10
E
10
ENE
10
NNE
15
E
15
E
20
SSE
10
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
on
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:34PM2.12m
2:06AM2.09m
2:16PM2.21m
2:43AM2.23m
2:54PM2.28m
3:19AM2.35m
3:32PM2.32m
3:53AM2.45m
4:09PM2.34m
4:29AM2.51m
4:46PM2.32m
5:05AM2.52m
5:25PM2.27m
Low Tide
7:54PM0.47m
8:08AM0.56m
8:30PM0.38m
8:48AM0.45m
9:05PM0.31m
9:26AM0.35m
9:39PM0.26m
10:04AM0.28m
10:14PM0.24m
10:42AM0.24m
10:50PM0.24m
11:21AM0.24m
11:28PM0.28m
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
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>
5:55
5:54
5:54
5:53
5:53
5:52
5:52
 mm
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
Temp °C
32
32
27
32
33
28
32
33
27
31
28
27
32
29
28
30
32
28
29
27
27
Feels °C
33
35
28
33
36
30
30
31
26
34
31
30
34
33
31
33
35
29
30
28
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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