Surf Forecasts:
Jaco Beach surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s 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★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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+) | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| 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
Text 2 (Imperial)
Alright, let’s talk in feet. The ocean’s a bit sleepy to start. Saturday morning the 29th of August brings a 4ft SW swell, but it’s got a cross-on breeze messing with the surface. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 86 °F, running about 3°F above the usual, so it’s already a bit special. The good stuff is a few days off.
The best bet in this whole forecast is the morning of Friday the 4th of September. That’s a week out, so mark it. You’re looking at a clean 4ft SW swell with a 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is dead calm, glassy, and the combined energy is a solid 1130 (moderate wave energy). This is the standout for experienced surfers. The power will be there, and the sheets will be perfect. It’s a beach break, so that long period might make it a bit tricky, but with those conditions, it’s a must-paddle.
Before that, Sunday morning the 30th of August has a glassy 4ft SW swell with a 14-second period and a combined energy of 776 (moderate wave energy). It’s not the big one, but it’s clean and fun. Monday morning the 31st of August is also glassy, with a 4ft swell, but it’s a bit smaller. The real ramp-up starts Thursday the 3rd of September, with a 4ft SW swell hitting 19 seconds, but the wind is a bit cross. That Friday and Saturday morning (4th and 5th of September) are the real peak, with Saturday morning showing a 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions, with a combined energy of 1230 (moderate wave energy). That’s for the big dogs.
After that, from Sunday the 6th onward, the swell drops. The mornings from the 6th to the 13th of September stay in the 2ft to 4ft range, often with a glassy start, but it’s smaller and more for a fun cruise. The 9th of September morning has a glassy 3ft SW swell with a 16-second period, which is a nice little surprise mid-week. The 11th of September is a good bookend, with a glassy 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a combined energy of 620 (moderate wave energy). But honestly, that Friday the 4th is the one you don’t miss.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 746 | 1109 | 939 | 746 | 726 | 549 | 392 | 342 | 282 | 196 | 216 | 212 | 192 | 222 | 163 | 248 | 504 | 795 | 962 | 1415 | 1225 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 3:39PM2.60m | 4:01AM2.74m | 4:16PM2.62m | 4:36AM2.80m | 4:53PM2.61m | 5:12AM2.81m | 5:32PM2.55m | 5:51AM2.77m | 6:15PM2.46m | 6:35AM2.69m | 7:03PM2.34m | 7:26AM2.57m | 8:00PM2.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:34AM0.38m | 9:47PM0.27m | 10:11AM0.30m | 10:21PM0.25m | 10:48AM0.26m | 10:57PM0.26m | 11:27AM0.25m | 11:35PM0.31m | 12:10PM0.30m | 00:17AM0.39m | 12:57PM0.38m | 1:06AM0.50m | 1:52PM0.49m | 2:04AM0.62m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 4 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 7 | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 746 | 1109 | 939 | 746 | 726 | 549 | 392 | 342 | 282 | 86 | 85 | 62 | 170 | 62 | 78 | 54 | 504 | 795 | 962 | 1415 | 1225 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 45 | 56 | 35 | 28 | 46 | 12 | 27 | 40 | 56 | 196 | 216 | 212 | 45 | 170 | 152 | 248 | 47 | 199 | 140 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 9 | SW 20 | W 9 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 138 | 151 | 31 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 6 | 56 | 113 | 112 | 192 | 222 | 163 | 94 | 94 | 14 | 28 | 14 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 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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