Surf Forecasts:
Jaco Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, SSW swell with 471 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jaco Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 12AM. 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+) | 12PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jaco Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into what’s coming up at Jaco Beach. The water’s sitting at 87°, which is more than three and a half degrees warmer than normal for this time of year – so that’s a real hot tub situation.
Tuesday the 18th through Thursday the 20th, the waves are tiny – about 2 to 3 feet. The wind is glassy or light offshore in the mornings, and light cross-offshore through the afternoons. It’s super clean, almost flat, but there’s enough energy to push a longboard around. The combined swell energy sits in the moderate range.
Friday the 21st is the best of the first week. You’ve got 4 feet in the morning with glassy conditions from the NNE. The swell is coming from the SSW, which is perfect for this spot, with a period around 11 seconds – a nice groundswell. The combined energy hits 466. Saturday the 22nd morning is also good with 4 feet and glassy conditions. Those two mornings are your go-to.
From Sunday the 23rd through Wednesday the 27th, the waves drop to 1 to 2 feet. The periods get long – 18 to 19 seconds – so the lines are drawn out and weak. It’s clean in the mornings, but Wednesday afternoon the wind goes onshore at 12 mph and it gets choppy. Thursday the 27th afternoon is poor with short, crumbly waves.
Second week: Friday the 28th morning is glassy with 2 feet and a 16-second period – clean. But Saturday the 29th morning is the standout. Calm winds, flat glass, and 3 feet with a 17-second period. The combined energy jumps to 510. That’s your best session of the whole outlook. Sunday the 30th morning is also good with 4 feet, glassy, and a 15-second period, energy at 683 – strong and clean before the wind picks up.
Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September have glassy mornings with waves around 3 to 4 feet and periods of 13 to 15 seconds. Good, but not as perfect as that Saturday.
No big waves here – nothing over 4 feet, so it’s fine for everyone. Mornings are where it’s at, and Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are the highlights.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 171 | 151 | 406 | 255 | 251 | 160 | 144 | 163 | 471 | 430 | 343 | 338 | 265 | 200 | 149 | 133 | 162 | 260 | 155 | 243 | 216 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 6:50PM2.38m | 7:10AM2.53m | 7:35PM2.20m | 7:55AM2.36m | 8:25PM2.04m | 8:46AM2.21m | 9:26PM1.91m | 9:48AM2.11m | 10:37PM1.86m | 10:57AM2.09m | 11:49PM1.91m | 12:02PM2.14m | 00:49AM2.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:46PM0.40m | 00:54AM0.50m | 1:31PM0.54m | 1:38AM0.67m | 2:21PM0.69m | 2:27AM0.83m | 3:19PM0.80m | 3:26AM0.94m | 4:26PM0.85m | 4:36AM0.99m | 5:35PM0.82m | 5:46AM0.96m | 6:34PM0.74m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 7 | 3 | — | 8 | 9 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 127 | 121 | 99 | 96 | 126 | 129 | 144 | 163 | 471 | 430 | 343 | 338 | 265 | 200 | 149 | 108 | 108 | 106 | 81 | 83 | 216 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 15 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 |
| kJ | 171 | 138 | 406 | 255 | 251 | 160 | 144 | 114 | 14 | 35 | 66 | 129 | 62 | 107 | 93 | 129 | 162 | 260 | 155 | 243 | 78 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | SW 6 | W 14 | S 15 | S 13 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 15 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 163 | 151 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 60 | 60 | 133 | 87 | 84 | 75 | 37 | 28 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 144 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 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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