El Estero surf break

El Estero surfForecast / Guanacaste / Costa Rica

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Friday 02 Jan 2026 CST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
El Estero surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's El Estero sea temperature is
28.4° C
(Which is 1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Estero this week:

The surf forecast for El Estero over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 03) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at El Estero in the next 12 days are 0.8m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 10) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jan 05) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 3rd Jan)1ft (0.3m) 18s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 3rd Jan)1ft (0.3m) 18s
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 10th Jan)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
NW
0.4
NW
0.2
WNW
0.3
N
0.3
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.4
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.5
SW
0.4
SSW
0.4
SW
0.5
SW
0.5
SW
0.6
SW
0.6
SW
Period(s) (?)98731716151514141313131212121414131312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)231551578677123116110116114106987156728987138122
Wind
(km/h)
15
NE
15
E
15
ENE
15
WNW
5
E
10
ENE
10
NNW
20
E
20
ENE
10
N
20
E
20
ENE
10
NE
15
E
20
ENE
5
N
10
E
15
ENE
10
W
10
ENE
15
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offcross-
off
onoffcross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
glassoffoffonoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:52AM
2.58
2:31PM
2.32
2:47AM
2.63
3:24PM
2.43
3:38AM
2.63
4:14PM
2.50
4:28AM
2.58
5:03PM
2.52
5:15AM
2.49
5:50PM
2.49
6:02AM
2.36
6:36PM
2.42
6:50AM
2.20
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:35PM
0.31
8:20AM
0.06
8:32PM
0.23
9:11AM
-0.01
9:27PM
0.19
10:00AM
-0.04
10:19PM
0.19
10:47AM
-0.01
11:09PM
0.24
11:32AM
0.08
11:59PM
0.32
12:16PM
0.20
12:48AM
0.42
Fri
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Sunrise--6:01--6:01--6:01--6:01--6:01--6:03--6:03
Sunset5:32--5:32--5:34--5:35--5:35--5:36--5:36--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C292528282529302529302528302529302629282629
Feels °C (?)292629292730312630312628312529332832302931
  • Map Icons:
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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 12 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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