Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. It’s a slow start, so don’t get your hopes up for the first few days. There’s a noticeable gap with nothing worth paddling for until around Tuesday the 15th.
El Estero is the only game in town here—it’s a river mouth, so it’s what we’ve got. Monday the 14th is a total washout: tiny swell, cross-off breeze, dodgy tides. Just leave your board in the car. Tuesday the 15th morning you’ll see 2ft of SW groundswell with a long 18-second period. Energy is moderate (515) and the direction fits the WNW sweet spot. Winds are light cross-off from the ENE, so it’s clean but small.
Wednesday the 16th morning is a real beauty—4ft of SW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions with no wind. Energy is climbing (866). Water temp is about average for this time of year. Get on it early because a thunderstorm threat could mess up the afternoon.
The weekend of the 20th and 21st looks solid again. Sunday the 20th morning has 3ft of SW swell, 19-second period, big energy (791) and clean offshore winds. Monday the 21st brings glassy conditions with 4ft of SW swell and a long period. That’s prime for the river mouth—clean, lined up, and you’ll be trading waves.
Now, mark your calendar for Wednesday the 23rd: that’s 6ft of SW swell, but the period drops to 9 seconds. That’s a lot of chunky, fast-moving water. Strong energy (947) and glassy conditions, but short period means it’ll be bumpy and powerful. Best for experienced surfers only.
The true standout is the weekend of the 26th and 27th. Saturday the 26th afternoon brings 6ft of W swell with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is very strong at 1365. Winds are offshore from the east, so it’s clean. Sunday the 27th morning has 6ft of W swell, calm glassy conditions, and very strong energy (1149). That’s the kind of swell that gets the heart pumping—solid, clean, and powerful. Only for those who know what they’re doing.
Expect crowds at El Estero, especially on these quality days. Get there early. The river mouth handles the long-period groundswell well, so the 15- to 19-second swells will wrap in nicely. Short-period stuff will be more sectiony and rough.
Bottom line: be patient through the first week, then watch for Wednesday the 23rd and don’t miss the 26th and 27th. That’s where the magic is.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 299 | 219 | 246 | 460 | 312 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 | 249 | 239 | 236 | 222 | 167 | 396 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:27AM2.60m | 4:49PM2.37m | 5:06AM2.52m | 5:29PM2.26m | 5:44AM2.39m | 6:09PM2.12m | 6:24AM2.24m | 6:51PM1.97m | 7:07AM2.09m | 7:39PM1.83m | 7:57AM1.96m | 8:37PM1.73m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:14PM0.15m | 10:44AM0.14m | 10:53PM0.23m | 11:23AM0.22m | 11:31PM0.34m | 12:03PM0.33m | 00:10AM0.47m | 12:45PM0.47m | 00:52AM0.61m | 1:32PM0.60m | 1:39AM0.75m | 2:27PM0.72m | 2:37AM0.86m | ||||||
 |  | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 |
Temp °C | 27 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 33 | 32 | 27 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 18 | S 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 71 | 69 | 69 | 460 | 88 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 | 249 | 205 | 205 | 170 | 167 | 396 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 8 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SW 19 | S 9 | S 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 134 | 219 | 246 | 92 | 312 | 90 | 108 | 89 | 86 | 86 | 92 | 81 | 73 | 51 | 52 | 236 | 55 | 47 | 44 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NW 13 | NW 13 | SW 23 | SW 22 | N 4 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 299 | 73 | 71 | 50 | 203 | 109 | 51 | 43 | 27 | 86 | 123 | 6 | 220 | 198 | 239 | 55 | 222 | 154 | 118 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | N 5 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 9 | — | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 13 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 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.
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