Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what we’ve got.
This stretch is all about El Estero, a river mouth that’s exposed to the west-northwest. The water’s running a touch warmer than usual for this time of year.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start. Thursday is pretty marginal – you’re looking at small 2ft swell from the southwest with a super long 18-second period. That kind of period at a river mouth can make for some straight, fast-running walls, so it might be tricky to find a proper pocket. There’s a moderate breeze, so it’s not bad, but it’s nothing to get excited about.
Friday afternoon is where it starts to feel a bit better. The swell picks up to 2ft, still from the southwest, but the period holds at a solid 19 seconds. What makes this one stand out is the offshore wind kicking in – that’ll clean things right up. The wave energy is moderate at 518. It won’t be big, but the shape should be there.
Now, if you’re an experienced surfer, Saturday the 29th is your session. We’re looking at a solid 5ft southwest swell, still with a long 16-second period. The energy is strong at 1230. The morning has a clean offshore wind, and the afternoon goes glassy with a light sea breeze. The sets will be a bit bigger and the waves will have some punch.
Sunday the 30th holds similar size at 5ft, and Sunday afternoon is glassy. The energy is still moderate-strong at 876. That’s a beautiful call for a clean, mellow session.
There’s a bit of a lull through Monday and Tuesday, with the swell dropping back to 3-4ft, though Tuesday morning has a nice offshore wind. Nothing terrible, just ordinary.
Then it gets interesting again. Friday the 4th of September morning looks like a standout. We’ve got 5ft southwest groundswell, with a 17-second period and an offshore wind. The energy is very strong at 1429. This is a powerful, clean swell hitting the river mouth, which for a confident surfer will be excellent.
Saturday the 5th morning looks equally good – 5ft, 16-second period, offshore wind, and strong energy at 1360. Another one for the experienced crew.
Through the second week, the pattern holds with clean mornings and building swell. Thursday the 10th morning has 4ft and a clean offshore wind. Friday the 11th has a classic glass-off in the afternoon that’ll smooth out a 4ft swell perfectly.
The Pick: For the experienced surfer, Saturday August 29th morning is a ripper – solid 5ft, long period, clean offshore wind, and plenty of energy. For the one that might sneak right up on you, Friday September 4th morning has that powerful 5ft groundswell and perfect wind. Keep that one marked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 154 | 106 | 248 | 531 | 358 | 1215 | 1230 | 1314 | 1105 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 451 | 386 | 331 | 301 | 297 | 223 | 246 | 326 | 371 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:16PM2.21m | 2:43AM2.23m | 2:54PM2.28m | 3:19AM2.35m | 3:32PM2.32m | 3:53AM2.45m | 4:09PM2.34m | 4:29AM2.51m | 4:46PM2.32m | 5:05AM2.52m | 5:25PM2.27m | 5:45AM2.50m | 6:08PM2.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:30PM0.38m | 8:48AM0.45m | 9:05PM0.31m | 9:26AM0.35m | 9:39PM0.26m | 10:04AM0.28m | 10:14PM0.24m | 10:42AM0.24m | 10:50PM0.24m | 11:21AM0.24m | 11:28PM0.28m | 12:04PM0.28m | 00:10AM0.34m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 32 | 33 | 27 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 36 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 34 | 34 | 29 | 33 | 35 | 31 | 37 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 56 | 45 | 248 | 531 | 358 | 1215 | 1230 | 1314 | 1105 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 451 | 386 | 102 | 301 | 297 | 157 | 117 | 238 | 371 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | N 5 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSE 9 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | S 7 |
| kJ | 76 | 16 | 47 | 45 | 35 | 88 | 61 | 63 | 31 | 59 | 47 | 26 | 37 | 105 | 331 | 60 | 53 | 223 | 238 | 326 | 64 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 21 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 6 | S 11 | — | SW 8 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | S 7 | SW 6 | WNW 10 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 7 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 154 | 106 | 72 | 123 | 125 | 13 | 38 | — | 23 | 21 | 8 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 84 | 112 | 155 | 246 | 61 | 147 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 18 | — | 13 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 212 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 323 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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