El Estero Surf Break

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

Issued: 5 pm 06 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° C

1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,263 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 12PM. 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 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 7th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 7th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 7th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s on the menu for the next couple weeks. We’ve only got one break in the running this time, and it’s a classic: El Estero.

We’re kicking off Monday afternoon, July 6th, with some proper energy in the water. A solid 3 ft groundswell out of the SW is pumping in with a very long period of 19 seconds. The water temp is sitting at 86°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The conditions couldn’t look better to start – glassy, calm winds, zero bump. The combined swell energy is strong at 1203, so there’s plenty of push out there. This is a river mouth setup, so that long-period swell is going to line up beautifully, offering up some real shape. Crowds are likely though, as it’s often busy here.

Tuesday morning, July 7th, brings in a moderate offshore breeze from the ENE at 12 mph, holding the waves up clean with that 4 ft SW groundswell still rolling through at 18 seconds. The energy is still strong at 1126. Tuesday afternoon sees the wind drop right back to glassy with a 5 ft swell and energy hitting 1263. That afternoon session is going to be pure silk.

Wednesday morning, July 8th, the wind swings cross-offshore at 16 mph, and the swell drops a little to 4 ft from the SSW with 16 seconds. There’s a bit of chop creeping in, and the energy is down to 864. The quality is starting to fade, and by Wednesday afternoon it gets a bit bumpy with a light cross-onshore, so the magic is wearing off.

Thursday and Friday, July 9th and 10th, we see the swell ease back under 3 ft with periods dropping to the 15-16 second range. Mornings stay clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but afternoons get messy with storm risks and onshore wind. Energy drops into the 400-500 range. It’s fun for a casual paddle, but nothing to write home about.

The second week looks smaller. From Saturday, July 11th, through the following Tuesday, July 21st, we’re mostly in knee-to-waist high territory. Swell hovers between 1 ft and 3 ft, with periods bouncing between 13 and 18 seconds. There are still clean windows – like Sunday morning, July 12th with that glassy 3 ft – and a few mornings with gentle offshore breezes. But the combined energy drops right down to the 80-450 range, so it’s weak. By Sunday, July 19th, there’s even a morning with zero swell at all.

There’s a glimmer on Monday afternoon, July 20th: a 2 ft SW swell with 16 seconds, glassy calm conditions again, and energy at 251. It’s small, but clean. Tuesday morning, July 21st, also offers a clean 2 ft with a gentle offshore.

The standout windows? No question – it’s the first two days. Monday afternoon, July 6th, and Tuesday afternoon, July 7th. That’s the pick of the forecast. Solid, long-period groundswell, glassy conditions, and the river mouth handling that long-period energy like a dream. After that, it’s a slow taper with choppier afternoons and smaller swells. Don’t hold your breath for the second week unless you just want a quiet, clean paddle on a small board.

Stay tuned, forecasts can change. Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 50mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
4
4
3
2
2
3
3
0
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
0
2
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)
1
SW
19
1
SW
19
1.2
SW
18
1.4
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.7
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
738
730
915
1263
1179
864
748
657
544
419
314
382
217
403
372
362
323
297
264
130
200
Wind (km/h)
0
NNW
25
ENE
20
ENE
5
SW
20
ENE
25
ENE
5
WSW
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
SSW
15
E
15
ENE
5
SW
10
E
10
ENE
10
SW
10
E
10
E
5
ESE
5
W
10
NE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
glassy
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:56PM2.04m
7:27AM2.24m
7:43PM1.97m
8:14AM2.25m
8:38PM1.92m
9:08AM2.27m
9:40PM1.90m
10:09AM2.30m
10:48PM1.92m
11:14AM2.35m
11:56PM2.00m
12:19PM2.43m
1:00AM2.13m
Low Tide
1:03AM0.49m
1:44PM0.59m
1:48AM0.53m
2:39PM0.58m
2:40AM0.56m
3:39PM0.54m
3:41AM0.56m
4:44PM0.48m
4:47AM0.53m
5:49PM0.38m
5:55AM0.46m
6:51PM0.26m
7:01AM0.37m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:26
5:26
5:26
5:26
5:28
5:28
5:28
<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
6:08
6:08
 mm
2
6
8
1
32
1
2
3
Temp °C
31
28
31
31
28
32
31
28
31
29
28
31
30
27
29
27
25
28
28
26
29
Feels °C
36
29
34
36
31
34
35
32
35
32
32
34
34
30
33
31
29
31
32
31
31
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
15
1
SW
19
1.2
SW
18
1.4
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.7
SW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
1
S
6
0.9
S
6
0.9
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
Energy kJ
465
730
915
1263
1179
864
748
657
544
419
314
382
217
403
372
362
81
68
264
130
200
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
19
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.6
S
8
0.7
S
12
0.7
S
12
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.7
S
9
0.7
S
10
0.7
S
9
0.8
S
8
0.7
S
8
0.8
S
7
0.8
S
7
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.7
SSW
6
0.5
S
8
0.5
S
7
Energy kJ
738
255
211
52
136
132
110
110
87
85
87
76
86
61
63
58
323
297
43
28
26
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
S
12
0.4
N
5
0.1
W
15
0.3
N
5
0.3
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
18
0.5
N
4
0.5
S
16
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
15
0.5
SSW
14
0.3
SSW
15
0.5
N
5
0.5
S
16
Energy kJ
56
56
53
73
7
4
4
47
37
108
9
134
86
71
120
42
13
134
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
NNE
4
0.4
NNE
5
0.6
N
5
0.4
NNW
5
0.4
NNE
5
0.3
NNE
5
0.4
NNE
4
0.4
NNE
5
0.3
NNE
4
0.6
NNE
4
Energy kJ
11
7
17
7
7
5
6
9
4
8
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
2
Distance (km)
0
13
0
0
29
16
10
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
10
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
2
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
7
9
8
9
7
7
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
  • 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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