El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.7° C
1.7° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 949 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s 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 1.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Best Surf 9PM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the waves coming our way.

The run starts on Wednesday, July 29, and we’ve got waves rolling in without any big gaps for the whole 16 days. It starts strong, fades a bit mid-week, then builds back up for some fine sessions into early August.

Wednesday, July 29 is your best day. Hit up El Estero. It’s a consistent river mouth, open to the WNW. You’ve got a solid 5ft swell from the SW, with a 16-second groundswell – that’s real energy. The combined energy is 1232, so there’s plenty of punch. The water’s 86°, which is a touch warmer than usual. A light cross-offshore breeze from the NE will keep the faces clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers only; 5ft with that period is no joke. Expect a crowd, as it’s "often" busy. Wednesday afternoon is even better – glassy conditions with a 3 mph westerly. The swell holds at 5ft, energy at 1149, still strong. That afternoon session is the absolute pick of the whole forecast for clean, powerful waves.

Thursday, July 30 – morning is still very good. A clean 4ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, with a moderate offshore from the ENE at 16 mph. Combined energy is moderate at 675. Afternoon turns cross-offshore with an ESE breeze, still 4ft and clean.

Friday, July 31 – morning offers a last good go. Clean 3ft SW swell, 14-second period, gentle offshore from the ENE. Combined energy is moderate at 382. By afternoon, a cross-onshore wind from the SW ruins it – poor conditions, so paddle early.

From Saturday, August 1 through Monday, August 3, the size drops to 2–3ft. Mornings are mostly clean, but energy is weak to moderate (212–307). The best of these is Saturday afternoon – 3ft, glassy offshore wind, clean. Good for beginners. Afternoons on Sunday and Monday get choppy.

Tuesday, August 4 – morning has a small 3ft swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’ll be weak and disorganised. Still, with a clean offshore wind, it’s surfable on small gear.

Wednesday, August 5 to Thursday, August 6 – the swell bottoms out at 1–2ft. Very weak energy (83–127). A few glassy bits, but it’s ordinary. Not worth the drive.

Friday, August 7 – a new long-period groundswell arrives: 2–3ft from the SSW, but with an amazing 18-second period in the morning. Combined energy jumps to 375 (moderate). A moderate offshore from the ENE keeps it clean. Then Friday afternoon goes glassy with a 17-second period and energy of 540 – very good conditions for the size.

Saturday, August 8 – size picks up to 3–3ft. A moderate cross-offshore from the NE, but the afternoon gets a bit messy. Energy is moderate (580–599). Surfable, but not a standout.

Sunday, August 9 – morning is poor with strong cross-offshore winds despite 3ft. Afternoon is much better – glassy offshore, clean waves, energy at 386.

Monday, August 10 – morning is poor with strong winds. Afternoon has an odd 2ft swell with a 21-second period (best for points and reefs). Energy is moderate at 520, but the cross-offshore wind makes it marginal.

Tuesday, August 11 morning is another real highlight. Clean 3ft SW groundswell with a 20-second period – that’s proper ground energy. Moderate offshore from the E, combined energy of 674, and very good conditions. Perfect for longboards and clean, lined-up walls.

Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13 keep the run going with 3–4ft swells, 16- to 17-second periods, and clean windows in the morning. Energy is moderate to strong (553–567). Great for mid-lengths and logs.

Thursday, August 13 afternoon gets cross-onshore from the SW, so morning is the call.

Best surf of the whole window is Wednesday, July 29 afternoon – glassy, solid 5ft, groundswell, perfect. Second pick is Tuesday, August 11 morning for that long-period, lined-up goodness. With that 20-second period, sets will be spaced out but well-shaped – worth the wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
1
3
2
1
0
2
1
1
2
2
0
2
2
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
8
0.9
SSW
8
0.6
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1149
856
667
589
485
357
342
326
238
234
147
108
171
167
231
208
111
96
107
93
Wind (km/h)
5
S
20
ENE
25
ENE
10
E
15
ENE
15
ENE
15
SW
10
ENE
20
ENE
5
S
15
E
10
ENE
15
SW
10
SSE
5
N
15
WSW
5
ESE
10
N
5
NW
10
ESE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross
glassy
off
High Tide
3:14AM2.13m
3:20PM2.28m
3:51AM2.22m
3:57PM2.30m
4:26AM2.30m
4:34PM2.29m
5:01AM2.35m
5:11PM2.25m
5:36AM2.38m
5:49PM2.19m
6:13AM2.38m
6:30PM2.12m
Low Tide
9:02PM0.35m
9:12AM0.52m
9:37PM0.31m
9:52AM0.47m
10:11PM0.28m
10:30AM0.44m
10:45PM0.29m
11:08AM0.42m
11:19PM0.31m
11:47AM0.42m
11:54PM0.35m
12:29PM0.43m
00:34AM0.40m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
heavy rain
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:06
6:06
6:06
6:05
 mm
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
14
1
Temp °C
31
28
33
33
28
31
30
28
32
31
27
31
29
28
29
29
25
31
32
28
Feels °C
35
31
32
35
29
35
32
32
34
35
28
33
31
32
33
31
27
35
37
30
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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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