Jaco Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our little corner of the coast for the next couple of weeks. Let me tell you, it’s not going to be all-time, but there are some real gems hidden in here if you play your cards right.

We’re looking at a classic slow-burn pattern. The start of the week is all about fun, small waves for the learner crew, but the real magic is brewing for the following weekend. There’s a bit of a flat-ish stretch in the middle, but don’t let that fool you.

Jaco Beach is the only spot on the menu, so that’s where we’re at.

Right now, Sunday morning (9 August) is tiny but perfect. You’re looking at clean 3 ft SSW groundswell with a solid 14-second period pushing in. The combined energy is weak (328), but with a glassy 3 mph offshore breeze from the ENE, it’s a glorious, clean slope for your log or a fun mid-length. You’ll have it mostly to yourself.

Monday and Tuesday mornings (10 & 11 August) are more of the same – clean, glassy conditions with 2 ft to 2 ft of SW swell. Perfect for beginners to get that first glide. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a shortie is fine.

Now, you have to look past the mid-week hiccup. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons (12 & 13 August) get a bit iffy with cross-onshore winds and storm risks, but the mornings are still glassy gold. The real standout begins on Friday morning, 14 August. The swell bumps up to a clean 3 ft from the SW, period hangs at a juicy 18 seconds, and the energy jumps to a moderate 726. Light offshore winds will have it peeling nicely. This is the pick of the first week for a proper session.

But wait... Saturday 15 August morning is the absolute standout of the whole run. I’m telling you, this is the one to circle on your calendar. We’ve got a primo 4 ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds, with a moderate-to-strong energy reading of 1086. There’s not a breath of wind – dead glassy, calm conditions. This is the best quality wave we’re going to see. For experienced surfers, this is as good as it gets for a beachbreak. The sets will have real push, and the paddle out will be easy between lulls.

After that high, the following week (starting 17 August) is a bit more up and down, but still has its moments. Monday morning (17 August) is a solid follow-up with 3 ft SW swell and glassy conditions. Tuesday morning (18 August) has a 4 ft S swell, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds, making it a bit weaker and choppier. Wednesday morning (19 August) is another expert focus: 6 ft of SSW swell – that’s getting chunky, and over 5 ft, it’s too much for beginners. The period is short (9 seconds), so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but the 773 energy and dead calm winds mean it’s a fun, powerful wall for those who can handle it.

The tail end of the run, from the 20th to the 24th, drops back down into the 2 ft to 4 ft range. The winds get a bit messy, with more cross-onshore and afternoon storm risks. Friday morning (21 August) is worth a look with a glassy 3 ft S swell, but it’s not a standout compared to that epic Saturday.

So here’s the bottom line: The small stuff right now is perfect for learning. But if you want the best wave of the forecast, you gotta be in the water on the morning of Saturday, 15 August. That’s the one.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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