El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
30.0° C
1.9° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,151 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 (Aug 10) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 16s. 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 11s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 10th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 3PM (Fri 14th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 15th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s break down the El Estero surf outlook for the next couple of weeks. It’s a slow burn to start, but there’s some real quality if you can wait it out.

The first few days are underwhelming. There’s some energy around with combined swell numbers in the 340 to 375 range (moderate wave energy), but the wind is mostly cross-off or onshore, keeping things messy. The water’s sitting at a balmy 86°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year.

Things start to turn the corner on Friday the 14th. Friday afternoon shows a nice 4ft swell from the SW, with a solid 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell. Combined energy jumps to 1028 (strong wave energy) and the wind is light cross-off. Conditions look excellent for experienced surfers. The river mouth setup at El Estero should handle that long-period energy better than a standard beach break.

Saturday the 15th keeps the run going. Morning has 5ft of SW swell with 1118 combined energy, and while the wind is cross-off, the afternoon sees it clock fully offshore from the ENE. Clean, moderate offshore wind, 4ft of clean swell. That’s a proper window.

Sunday the 16th morning is the real gem. You’ve got 4ft of SW swell, and the wind is *glass* from the east. That’s as clean as it gets. Combined energy is 678 (moderate to strong). If you can get out there Sunday morning, that’s the pick of the whole forecast. The river mouth should be serving up some well-shaped waves.

After that, the second week sees smaller but still rideable waves. A few good windows on Monday 18th afternoon (light wind, clean) and Wednesday 19th morning (gentle offshore, 3ft swell, 617 energy). The second week is more hit and miss, with some glassy afternoons but smaller surf. By Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, the swell period jumps to 21 seconds, but the heights are tiny (2ft to 2ft). That’s very long-period energy, but not enough size to get excited about unless the river mouth lines it up perfectly.

The crowds at El Estero are often around, so don’t expect a quiet session, but on those standout days it’ll be worth the company.

Overall, the best surf of the whole 16 days is Sunday the 16th morning. Glassy, chest-to-shoulder high swell from the SW, perfect river mouth conditions. Friday the 14th afternoon and Saturday the 15th afternoon are also excellent. After that, it fades but stays surfable.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 34°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sun afternoon, calm by Wed morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat morning).

Sun
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
2
3
1
1
2
2
0
2
1
1
3
2
4
3
3
3
4
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
13
0.8
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
0.6
SSW
20
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
20
1.1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
1.3
SW
17
1.5
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
327
241
202
331
253
218
375
212
211
206
181
176
255
373
804
777
1050
1109
897
1041
Wind (km/h)
35
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
15
ENE
20
ENE
10
SW
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
SW
10
ENE
15
ENE
10
SW
15
E
20
ENE
15
ESE
20
ENE
20
NE
20
ENE
10
E
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
11:42PM1.98m
12:07PM2.32m
00:50AM2.13m
1:10PM2.41m
1:49AM2.30m
2:07PM2.50m
2:42AM2.47m
2:59PM2.55m
3:30AM2.59m
3:47PM2.56m
4:16AM2.64m
4:33PM2.52m
Low Tide
5:32PM0.44m
5:45AM0.52m
6:37PM0.33m
6:54AM0.42m
7:35PM0.20m
7:54AM0.30m
8:27PM0.09m
8:49AM0.20m
9:15PM0.02m
9:40AM0.14m
10:00PM0.01m
10:27AM0.13m
10:43PM0.06m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:02
6:02
6:02
6:01
6:01
6:00
 mm
2
1
4
1
1
3
Temp °C
34
28
33
33
28
32
30
28
32
29
28
32
30
28
33
33
28
29
28
26
Feels °C
30
27
33
33
29
36
33
32
36
31
32
36
33
31
34
35
30
27
27
27
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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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