Jaco Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up, no real gap to speak of. The first couple of days are smaller and clean, then the swell builds into a real nice window around the start of September. Water temp is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that tropical bath.

Friday 28 August starts off with a beauty. Jaco Beach is showing 2ft of SW swell, period a chunky 20 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, long lines. Combined energy is moderate at 543. Morning is glassy with a light northerly, so expect clean, peeling waves. This long period stuff will really favour the points and reefs, but even here it’ll be organised and fun. Afternoon gets a bit tricky with a risk of t-storms and a cross-shore wind, so get out early.

Saturday 29 August morning bumps up to 4ft from the SW, period still a lovely 16 seconds. Glassy again with a light northerly. Combined energy is strong at 929. This is a cracking morning – clean, good size, decent power. The afternoon sees the swell hit 5ft and the wind goes cross-onshore, so it’ll get a bit bumpy. The morning is definitely the call.

Sunday 30 August morning holds at 4ft SW, period 14 seconds, and it’s dead calm – glassy as a mirror. Combined energy is strong at 811. Another top-notch morning. Afternoon storms and a cross-onshore breeze mess it up.

Monday 31 August morning drops a touch to 4ft, period 13 seconds, but it’s glassy again with no wind. Combined energy is 438. Still good, clean surf. The pattern of clean mornings and iffy afternoons holds all week.

Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September see the swell dip a little – 3ft on Tuesday morning, glassy with calm wind, and 3ft on Wednesday but with a cross-onshore breeze. Wednesday afternoon gets really poor, with only 2ft and cross-onshore wind. A bit of a lull.

Thursday 3 September morning bounces back to 2ft, glassy, period 16 seconds. Clean but small.

Now, the standout window is Friday 4 September and Saturday 5 September. Friday morning brings 4ft of SW swell, 17 second period, glassy conditions with a light ESE breeze. Combined energy is strong at 1130 – you’ll feel that push. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Saturday morning is even better: 5ft SW, 16 second period, glassy. Combined energy is very strong at 1345. Both mornings are absolute crackers – clean, powerful, and well-shaped. The afternoon winds do get a bit messy on both days, so the dawn patrol is the winner here.

Sunday 6 September morning is still good at 4ft, glassy, 14 second period. Solid.

The following week, from Monday 7 September through Saturday 12 September, the swell hangs around the 3ft to 4ft range, mostly SW direction, with periods between 13 and 16 seconds. There are plenty of clean, glassy mornings – Monday 7th, Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th, Friday 11th, and Saturday 12th all have mornings with either calm or near-calm winds and clean conditions. Combined energy stays moderate to strong, peaking at 917 on Friday 11th morning. The afternoons are consistently more marginal with storms and cross-shore breezes, so stick to the early sessions.

The pick of the whole run has to be Saturday 5 September morning – 5ft of clean SW swell, 16 second period, glassy, with very strong energy (1345). That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Friday 4 September morning is right up there too.

Because the swell is coming from the SW, and Jaco Beach is exposed to that direction, it lines up nicely. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so expect some company, but the quality on those top mornings will be worth it.

If you’re a beginner, stick to the smaller mornings around 2ft to 3ft – anything over 5ft (like Saturday 5th) is really for the more experienced crew.

Stay stoked.
Rusty

Read more