Surf Forecasts:
Jaco Beach surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with 973 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Jaco Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Jaco Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jaco Beach in the next 16 days are 1.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jaco Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what the ocean's got cookin' for us. We're looking at a stretch of smaller, cleaner surf ahead, with a couple of windows that are worth your time. It ain't gonna be a week of monsters, but there's fun to be had if you're patient.
The standout is gonna be Saturday morning, the 15th. That's the one to circle on the calendar. We've got a solid 4.3ft of SW swell rollin' in, but the real kicker is the wind – it's flat out glass. Zero wind. It's gonna be as clean as it gets. This is a great time for the experienced crew to get out there. The energy is solid too. Jaco Beach will be the place to be.
Before that, Friday the 14th is pretty average. The swell is there, around 3.3ft to 3.6ft, but we've got lumpy cross-shore winds and the energy is moderate. It’s a bit of a grovel, to be honest.
After that Saturday morning high point, the surf drops off and gets a bit all over the place. The afternoons are plagued by that typical storm risk, and the swell just bleeds away. We're looking at a few days with only knee-to-waist high leftovers and that same onshore breeze. Sunday the 16th still has some shape, but the size is down. From Monday the 17th onward, it's a waiting game as the swell fades. There will be days with clean, glassy mornings, but just not a lot of push behind them. The energy readings are on a steady slide, too.
The long-range crystal ball is pretty hazy. There are hints of a pulse building for the 28th and 29th – we might see that SW swell start filling back in around 2.6ft to 3.3ft with some cleaner winds. But that's a week and a half away, so treat it as a promising rumor, not a guarantee.
Keep it on your radar, but don't book your flights yet. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so just your usual spring suit.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
623 | 686 | 951 | 909 | 803 | 773 | 535 | 528 | 466 | 371 | 371 | 313 | 163 | 151 | 291 | 255 | 251 | 160 | 144 | 146 | 208 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | off |
High Tide | 3:56PM2.86m | 4:24AM2.95m | 4:41PM2.81m | 5:06AM2.93m | 5:24PM2.70m | 5:48AM2.84m | 6:07PM2.56m | 6:28AM2.70m | 6:50PM2.38m | 7:10AM2.53m | 7:35PM2.20m | 7:55AM2.36m | 8:25PM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:48AM0.15m | 10:08PM0.00m | 10:35AM0.13m | 10:51PM0.06m | 11:20AM0.17m | 11:32PM0.17m | 12:03PM0.27m | 00:13AM0.32m | 12:46PM0.40m | 00:54AM0.50m | 1:31PM0.54m | 1:38AM0.67m | 2:21PM0.69m | 2:27AM0.83m | |||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 10 | 8 | — | 4 | 11 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | 5 | 16 | — | 4 | 6 |
Temp °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 10 |
623 | 686 | 951 | 909 | 803 | 773 | 535 | 528 | 466 | 121 | 138 | 106 | 118 | 142 | 118 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 132 | 146 | 208 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 |
209 | 224 | 236 | 177 | 137 | 209 | 96 | 94 | 75 | 371 | 371 | 313 | 140 | 138 | 291 | 255 | 251 | 160 | 144 | 114 | 87 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 14 | — | — | — | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 18 | WSW 6 |
5 | 206 | — | — | — | 24 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 163 | 151 | 33 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 144 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 0 | 1 | 48 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Jaco Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Jaco Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Jaco Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Jaco Beach 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 (Jaco Beach) 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 Jaco Beach 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Golfo de Nicoya? If you are looking for accommodation near Jaco Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Golfo de Nicoya, consider staying in Esparza which is 43 km (27 miles) away. Other places in and around Golfo de Nicoya where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include San Rafael Abajo which is 45 km (28 miles) away, Tejar, Chacarita and Puntarenas.











