Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,552 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 (Sep 03) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 11s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks at El Estero.
The forecast is pretty clear: El Estero is looking at a run of solid, long-period SW groundswell, but you’re going to have to pick your moments. The mornings are where it’s at, as the afternoons get torn up by cross-onshore breezes and the occasional storm risk. The water’s a touch warmer than normal at 86°, so you can leave the thick winter rubber at home.
The real standout action fires up on the morning of Thursday the 4th. We’ve got a clean, 5ft SW swell with a juicy 17-second period from the optimum direction, combined with light offshore winds. The combined energy is ripping at 1423 (moderate to strong), making for excellent conditions for those with a bit of experience. If you’re an intermediate or above, that Thursday morning is your target. Keep going into the weekend, and Saturday the 5th morning is another cracker: 6ft of SW swell, 16-second period, glassy with just a slight air movement, and a massive 1578 energy reading. That’s the biggest, cleanest set of the forecast. Don’t expect to have it to yourself though – crowds are likely at this consistent river mouth.
The rest of the first week is a classic morning mission story. Thursday 3rd and Sunday 6th mornings offer clean 2ft to 5ft surf with light offshore breezes, perfect for a longboard or a funboard. The afternoons get choppy and messy, so plan accordingly.
Moving into the second week, the pattern holds. Mornings remain the go. The morning of Tuesday the 8th drops in size to 2ft but with an 18-second period and clean conditions. Wednesday the 9th is a real treat with moderate offshore winds in the morning turning glassy in the afternoon, making the 3ft to 3ft SW swell look a whole lot better than the size suggests. There’s a bit of a pulse early on Friday the 11th and again on Monday the 14th with glassy, clean conditions on tiny, long-period swells. The standout morning in the second week is Tuesday the 15th – 3ft of SW swell, 16-second period, and clean offshore wind from the ENE.
Bottom line: set your alarm for the mornings, especially Thursday the 4th and Saturday the 5th. That’s your best shot at the real deal.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 77mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 326 | 371 | 296 | 577 | 1099 | 1297 | 1519 | 1314 | 1552 | 1164 | 949 | 833 | 833 | 658 | 507 | 410 | 342 | 312 | 224 | 367 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:08PM2.19m | 6:29AM2.43m | 6:56PM2.09m | 7:20AM2.33m | 7:53PM1.99m | 8:20AM2.23m | 9:01PM1.92m | 9:31AM2.16m | 10:19PM1.93m | 10:48AM2.16m | 11:35PM2.03m | 12:00PM2.22m | 00:40AM2.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:10AM0.34m | 12:52PM0.35m | 00:59AM0.43m | 1:47PM0.44m | 1:56AM0.53m | 2:52PM0.51m | 3:07AM0.61m | 4:06PM0.53m | 4:26AM0.63m | 5:19PM0.48m | 5:43AM0.56m | 6:24PM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 30 | 12 | — | 13 | 17 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 33 | 32 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 35 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 35 | 36 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 238 | 371 | 291 | 577 | 1099 | 1297 | 1519 | 1314 | 1552 | 1164 | 949 | 833 | 833 | 658 | 507 | 410 | 342 | 245 | 199 | 367 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | WNW 9 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 326 | 205 | 144 | 174 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 63 | 26 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 19 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 18 | 312 | 224 | 114 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 15 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | S 11 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | SSW 6 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 27 | 18 | 296 | 171 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 28 | 10 | 29 | 17 | 14 | 26 | 24 | 33 | 47 | 62 | 64 | 18 | 69 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 93 | 0 | 0 | 192 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 175 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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