Surf Forecasts:
El Estero surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with 332 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Estero in the next 16 days are 0.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 6AM. 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 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Estero over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here again, same spot, different numbers. Let’s break down El Estero in feet and miles.
Saturday the 11th is a write-off. We've got a tiny 3ft swell from the SSW, but the cross-onshore breeze is ruining the surface. Water temp is 86°, a touch warmer than average, but that doesn't fix the lumpy conditions.
Sunday the 12th morning looks a bit better. Still a 3ft SSW swell, but the wind turns cross-offshore and cleans things up. The wave energy is moderate and it’s a decent session. Afternoon gets blown out again.
Monday the 13th morning is where I’d paddle out. A 2ft SW swell with a solid offshore wind at 12 mph. Clean conditions, moderate energy – a nice smooth ride. Afternoon goes glassy but the swell drops.
From Tuesday the 14th through Friday the 17th, it’s a mixed bag. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning deliver clean surf with moderate energy. Wednesday morning has a gentle offshore breeze too. Friday the 17th afternoon cleans up again with a light breeze and 2ft swell – a solid quick session.
The weekend of the 18th and 19th is pretty flat and inconsistent. Swell drops and winds aren’t great. Sunday the 19th afternoon has a clean look with a 2ft SW swell and a very long period of 18 seconds, but the energy is low. Could be a few clean little waves at the river mouth though.
The real standout is Thursday the 24th morning. This is the one. A 2ft SW swell with a massive 24-second period – that’s serious groundswell. Combined energy is strong, and conditions are clean with a light offshore breeze. The swell direction is good. For a river break, this is money. Clean lines, long lulls, real punch.
And then Saturday the 26th morning is another cracker. Swell bumps up to 4ft from the SW with a 19-second period, combined energy is very strong at 906, and it’s clean with light offshore wind. Getting a touch bigger, but still good for intermediates and up.
So, slow to start, but the second week has some real winners. The mornings of the 24th and 26th are your best shots – long period, clean, and lined up right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 372 | 362 | 323 | 284 | 318 | 164 | 200 | 125 | 88 | 140 | 207 | 197 | 181 | 196 | 206 | 157 | 326 | 103 | 75 | 178 | 229 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:14AM2.35m | 11:56PM2.00m | 12:19PM2.43m | 1:00AM2.13m | 1:20PM2.52m | 2:00AM2.27m | 2:18PM2.59m | 2:56AM2.41m | 3:12PM2.63m | 3:48AM2.52m | 4:04PM2.62m | 4:39AM2.59m | 4:53PM2.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:49PM0.38m | 5:55AM0.46m | 6:51PM0.26m | 7:01AM0.37m | 7:48PM0.13m | 8:02AM0.27m | 8:42PM0.03m | 8:59AM0.19m | 9:33PM-0.03m | 9:54AM0.15m | 10:22PM-0.04m | 10:47AM0.16m | 11:09PM0.01m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — |
mm | — | 7 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 372 | 362 | 323 | 284 | 318 | 51 | 200 | 125 | 159 | 155 | 207 | 139 | 181 | 196 | 206 | 157 | 326 | 203 | 195 | 178 | 229 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | N 5 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 7 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 88 | 82 | 62 | 38 | 37 | 164 | 47 | 23 | 20 | 140 | 140 | 147 | 164 | 129 | 80 | 89 | 4 | 68 | 67 | 22 | 140 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | N 5 | S 16 | SW 13 | S 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 16 |
| kJ | 134 | 86 | 71 | 19 | 10 | 63 | 11 | 132 | 88 | 27 | 152 | 197 | 108 | 86 | 72 | 91 | 40 | 103 | 75 | 76 | 77 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — | — | NNE 6 | N 5 | — | NNE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 13 | 12 | 22 | — | — | 17 | 11 | — | 24 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 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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