El Estero Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.32° N 85.84° W

El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Estero sea temperature is
29.9° 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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (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, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 1.1m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 10th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 6PM (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 folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for El Estero over the next couple of weeks.

The pattern ahead is a bit of a slow burn, but there’s a proper window of clean, consistent surf setting up for the second half of the period. Don’t expect much action in the first few days – it’s small and a little tricky. The real standout is shaping up for Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th, when we get a nice run of clean conditions with solid, long-period SW groundswell.

Right out of the gate, Monday the 10th is a write-off. We’ve got 3ft of SW swell but the wind is howling from the ENE at 16 mph, making it cross-off and messy. The water is sitting at 86°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Tuesday the 11th morning is much cleaner. The swell stays around 3ft from the SW, but the wind drops to 12 mph and turns offshore (ENE). The period stretches to 14 seconds, giving the waves some real push. The combined energy is moderate (379). It’s a good, clean morning session for the intermediate crew. The afternoon goes downhill with a SW cross-on wind and a big jump in period to 18 seconds, but the quality drops right off.

Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th are small and marginal. Morning windows offer clean 2ft waves, but the energy is weak to moderate. It’s surfable if you’re desperate, but nothing to write home about.

Now, things start building from Friday the 14th. The morning sees 4ft of SW swell with an 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to a strong 822. The wind is cross-off from the ENE, so it’s clean. This is a taste of what’s coming. The afternoon gets a little messy with a cross-shore breeze, but the swell builds to 4ft and the energy hits a very strong 1132.

Saturday the 15th morning is the biggest of the run so far: 5ft of SW swell with a 16-second period. Combined energy is a very strong 1113. The wind is cross-off and moderate, so the waves will be powerful and lined up. This is pushing into expert territory at that size, but it’s going to be pumping.

The standout is Sunday the 16th. The morning is absolutely glassy – zero wind from the SW. We’ve got 4ft of SW swell with a 15-second period. The combined energy is a solid 606. This is as clean as it gets. The waves will be peeling nicely with long gaps between sets, making it easier to get into position. This is the pick of the entire forecast. The afternoon stays clean with a light NE cross-off breeze. Crowds are likely here, but for conditions like this, it’s worth the company.

Monday the 17th keeps the good run going: 4ft of SW swell, 14-second period, light offshore wind from the E in the morning. Combined energy is still strong (598). It’s another excellent day.

Tuesday the 18th morning is also clean with a gentle offshore from the ENE, but the swell starts to back off slightly to 4ft. Afternoon turns poor with a SW cross-on.

The second week sees the swell drop away. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th offer small, clean morning windows (2ft to 3ft) but with weak to moderate energy. From Friday the 21st through Sunday the 23rd, it’s tiny – 1ft to 2ft. However, Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th mornings see a spike in period back to 18 seconds, which means long-period groundswell. The waves will be small but incredibly clean with offshore winds. It’s a long-range call, so treat it as promising but less certain.

Tuesday the 25th morning is another clean, small window. After that, the trend fades.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a slow start, but Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are your absolute best bets for clean, powerful surf. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
AM
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
3
2
0
2
1
0
2
0
2
3
2
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
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
1.2
SW
18
1.3
SW
17
1.5
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.2
SW
15
1.2
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
202
331
253
218
375
212
211
206
181
176
255
373
804
881
1050
1109
897
942
606
606
598
Wind (km/h)
25
ENE
25
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
15
SW
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
SW
15
E
15
ENE
10
SSE
15
E
15
ENE
10
S
15
ENE
20
ENE
5
SSW
10
SE
0
SW
10
NE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
High Tide
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
4:59AM2.63m
5:17PM2.42m
Low Tide
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
11:13AM0.16m
11:25PM0.15m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
heavy 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
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:02
6:02
6:02
6:01
6:01
6:00
6:00
 mm
2
1
2
5
4
11
14
Temp °C
32
33
28
32
29
28
32
30
27
32
31
28
32
30
27
32
30
27
28
27
24
Feels °C
31
32
28
36
31
33
36
33
29
34
33
30
36
34
29
33
34
30
33
31
28
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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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