El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.1°C
2.1° 

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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with 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★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s 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 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) 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 0.9m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 12th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (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 folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the stretch ahead. It’s a bit of a slow burner to start, but there are some proper moments hiding in the back half of this forecast, especially if you can wait it out.

The first few days are pretty quiet. We're looking at clean but underwhelming conditions for the Saturday morning, with a light cross-offshore breeze. The swell is small, around 3ft, and the energy in the water is moderate at best (370). It's surfable, but you won't be skipping work for it. That afternoon the wind swings onshore, and things get messy. Sunday and Monday follow a similar pattern – small waist-high waves, cleanest in the mornings, but nothing that'll get the heart racing. The water's running warm, about 86°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you don't need a thick suit.

The middle of the week picks up a bit. By Wednesday the 16th, the swell pushes to 4ft with a better period, and the morning offshore flow is going to keep it clean. This is where we start to see some actual potential. Thursday and Friday mornings also look good – glassy or light cross-off winds, with the swell holding around 3ft. The energy is building, moving into the moderate range (530-741). It's still not huge, but it's clean, and El Estero (El-Estero) handles that kind of swell nicely.

Then comes the standout. Skip ahead to Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st. Early on Sunday, it's dead glassy with a 3ft SW swell at 19 seconds. That's a proper long-period groundswell, and the energy is jumping (728). It's going to be clean and lined up. But Monday morning is the pick of the whole run for me. The wind goes completely calm, the swell pushes up to 4ft, still from the SW at 18 seconds, and the energy is the strongest we've seen (754). This is the one. If you can get a session in on Monday morning, that's your window. The river mouth should be handling that kind of long-period energy better than a beach break, too.

After that, there's a bit of a lull through Tuesday, keeping the surf small and a bit jumbled. But don't switch off. By Wednesday the 23rd, the ocean wakes up. We've got a 7ft SW swell coming in, with a shorter 9-second period. The power is there, strong energy (1021), but that short period and size make it a different beast. This is one for experienced surfers only – it's going to be a proper push, powerful and a bit raw. The morning starts clean with a light offshore, but it's serious out there. After that, the swell backs off a little for Thursday.

Then, to close out the forecast, Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th bring another pulse. Friday morning looks clean with 6ft from the SSW, and the afternoon stays good too. Saturday morning bumps it up to 7ft again, but the wind starts to get a bit more cross-shore as the day wears on. Keep an eye on Sunday the 27th – the swell drops right back down, but it's glassy again to finish.

So, yeah. There's a fair bit of waiting around, but Monday the 21st is the clear winner for clean, quality surf. For the bigger, more powerful stuff, that Wednesday the 23rd is the one for the crew who know what they're doing. Just remember, the long-range stuff is promising, but we'll know more as it gets closer.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
0
2
2
2
2
3
3
1
3
3
1
3
3
0
2
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.9
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
1
SW
17
1
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1
SW
15
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.6
SW
20
0.6
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
346
341
215
140
138
299
219
246
460
312
587
508
823
620
418
407
401
276
249
239
236
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
SSW
10
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
10
NE
5
WNW
10
E
15
NE
10
SW
10
E
15
NE
15
SW
10
E
10
ENE
15
SW
5
SSE
0
N
15
WSW
5
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
3:27PM2.48m
3:48AM2.64m
4:09PM2.44m
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
Low Tide
9:21AM0.12m
9:34PM0.11m
10:03AM0.10m
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
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:44
5:44
5:43
5:42
5:42
 mm
1
1
1
2
1
5
1
1
5
1
6
Temp °C
33
30
27
32
32
27
31
30
27
31
29
27
29
29
27
30
29
28
29
30
28
Feels °C
36
32
30
33
33
28
34
34
29
33
32
30
31
31
30
31
31
32
34
33
32
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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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