
Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 415 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Estero in the next 16 days are 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
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 coming down the line for El Estero.
First up, the water temp is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a bit of a bonus, so you won’t need a thick suit.
Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. The first few days are looking pretty average. Thursday the 16th has some small 2ft SW swell, but the wind is a cross-off and the wave energy is weak (263). It’s not really worth paddling out for. The afternoon cleans up a bit with a 3ft SSW swell and offshore wind, but the energy is still moderate (374). It’s just okay.
Friday the 17th through to Wednesday the 23rd is a real grind. The swell hangs around 1ft to 3ft, mostly from the SW, with cross-off winds. The wave energy stays in the moderate range (from 142 to 449), but the comments are all “poor” or “marginal.” There’s nothing to get excited about. It’s a long stretch of flat, average conditions.
Now, hang in there, because the real standout window opens up on Thursday the 24th of July. The morning session is the pick of the whole outlook. You’ve got a solid 3ft SW groundswell, but the period is a very long 24 seconds. That means proper energy (809) and long, clean lines. The wind is offshore from the East, so it’ll be clean. This is a prime day for a river mouth break like El Estero, as that long-period swell will wrap in nicely. The afternoon gets ruined by an onshore wind, so get in early.
The run continues strong. Saturday the 25th morning is glassy, with a 3ft SW swell and a 21-second period. The energy is strong (784), and it’s looking smooth. Then Sunday the 26th morning is a big one – 4ft SW swell, with very strong energy (1195). The wind is light and cross-off, making it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Monday the 27th morning is also excellent, with a 5ft SW swell and strong energy (1370). The wind is light cross-off.
Tuesday the 28th morning is the biggest of the run, with a 5ft SW swell and very strong energy (1828). The wind is glassy, so it will be perfect. But this size is for experts only – it’s too big for beginners. The conditions hold through Wednesday the 29th morning, with a 4ft SW swell and strong energy (1031), still clean.
The best of the best? I’d be circling Thursday the 24th morning for the quality of the long-period groundswell with offshore wind, and Tuesday the 28th morning for the biggest, cleanest, glassy conditions. Both are absolute standouts.
After that, the swell drops off into the end of the month, with the 30th and 31st offering smaller, but still clean, conditions for the more experienced crew.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Fri morning, light winds from the SE by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
172 | 326 | 103 | 75 | 178 | 140 | 192 | 164 | 286 | 170 | 248 | 192 | 366 | 361 | 313 | 301 | 293 | 250 | 173 | 104 | 101 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:04PM2.62m | 4:39AM2.59m | 4:53PM2.56m | 5:27AM2.59m | 5:42PM2.45m | 6:14AM2.54m | 6:31PM2.31m | 7:01AM2.44m | 7:20PM2.15m | 7:48AM2.32m | 8:11PM1.99m | 8:37AM2.19m | 9:05PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:54AM0.15m | 10:22PM-0.04m | 10:47AM0.16m | 11:09PM0.01m | 11:38AM0.21m | 11:55PM0.11m | 12:28PM0.30m | 00:41AM0.25m | 1:18PM0.40m | 1:27AM0.41m | 2:10PM0.51m | 2:15AM0.56m | 3:04PM0.60m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | |
— | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 31 | 34 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 34 | 35 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 8 |
172 | 326 | 203 | 195 | 178 | 222 | 192 | 164 | 286 | 276 | 248 | 243 | 366 | 361 | 313 | 301 | 293 | 250 | 48 | 49 | 101 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | N 5 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | N 5 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
77 | 8 | 68 | 67 | 76 | 140 | 150 | 146 | 22 | 32 | 194 | 32 | 212 | 146 | 52 | 48 | 27 | 54 | 173 | 104 | 52 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 12 | S 16 | SW 13 | N 5 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 6 | SW 18 | S 6 | S 6 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 11 | N 5 | S 11 |
91 | 40 | 103 | 75 | 52 | 81 | 61 | 13 | 96 | 170 | 29 | 192 | 22 | 22 | 144 | 101 | 36 | 99 | 63 | 12 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | N 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NE 3 |
20 | — | 18 | 17 | 13 | 23 | 28 | — | 12 | 11 | 7 | 17 | 23 | 16 | 20 | 56 | — | 6 | 33 | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 0 | 13 | 29 | 10 | 13 | 29 | 0 | 13 | 29 | 16 | 13 | 29 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 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.










