Surf Forecasts:
Jaco Beach surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,432 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jaco Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming.
We’ve got a slowish start, but the surf is building. The real sweet spot is the morning sessions from Friday September 4th through Sunday September 6th. That’s where you want to be.
Jaco Beach is the only spot in town, and it’s a very consistent beach break that’s wide open to the swell. The water is hanging around 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a warm bath.
Thursday morning, September 3rd is a nice warm-up. Clean 2ft swell from the SW, glassy wind, and moderate energy. Good for a test run.
Friday morning, September 4th is the first standout. Swell hits 4ft from the SW with a 17-second period – that’s real groundswell. Energy is strong (1041). Dead calm, glassy wind. This is for experienced surfers; the long period might make it a bit tricky on the beach break, but the power is there.
Saturday morning, September 5th is the best of the whole forecast. Swell at 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, very strong energy (1342). Glassy conditions. This is the one. It’s a bit big for beginners, but for anyone with experience, it’s the best wave quality on offer.
Sunday morning, September 6th is still excellent – 4ft from the SW, 14-second period, strong energy (701), glassy wind. A great follow-up.
After that, the swell slowly drops through the second week. Mornings stay clean with waist-high waves and glassy wind. The afternoons get messy with thunderstorms and cross-onshore breezes, so stick to the early sessions.
Wednesday morning, September 9th and Thursday morning, September 10th both offer clean 3ft to 4ft surf with that long-period SW groundswell. Energy is moderate to strong (573 to 910). Good paddling.
Late in the second week, from the 13th onward, the swell drops to small stuff, around 2ft to 2ft. Still clean in the mornings, but it’s longboard territory. Energy drops to weak (below 400).
The standout is Saturday morning, September 5th – big, clean, powerful SW groundswell with glassy wind. Friday the 4th and Sunday the 6th are also prime.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 216 | 212 | 212 | 222 | 163 | 248 | 504 | 795 | 951 | 1415 | 1225 | 1317 | 1193 | 788 | 676 | 597 | 447 | 363 | 299 | 249 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:32PM2.55m | 5:51AM2.77m | 6:15PM2.46m | 6:35AM2.69m | 7:03PM2.34m | 7:26AM2.57m | 8:00PM2.22m | 8:27AM2.45m | 9:10PM2.14m | 9:39AM2.37m | 10:31PM2.15m | 10:58AM2.38m | 11:47PM2.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:35PM0.31m | 12:10PM0.30m | 00:17AM0.39m | 12:57PM0.38m | 1:06AM0.50m | 1:52PM0.49m | 2:04AM0.62m | 2:58PM0.57m | 3:16AM0.72m | 4:13PM0.60m | 4:37AM0.73m | 5:28PM0.54m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 9 | — | 3 | 5 | — | 4 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 14 | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 216 | 52 | 212 | 212 | 152 | 248 | 504 | 795 | 951 | 1415 | 1225 | 1317 | 1193 | 788 | 676 | 597 | 447 | 363 | 299 | 249 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 8 | SSW 11 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 51 | 212 | 26 | 222 | 163 | 94 | 161 | 93 | 30 | 25 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 20 | 85 | 44 | 39 | 38 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 7 | SW 15 | S 8 | SW 11 | W 8 | S 11 | S 12 | SW 21 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 113 | 112 | 192 | 26 | 18 | 24 | 134 | 32 | 60 | 13 | 22 | 11 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 97 | 146 | 126 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 48 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 187 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 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.
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