
Surf Forecasts:
Jaco Beach surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with 973 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSW 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 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. 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 1.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 6PM. 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+) | 6AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jaco Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s brewing for our local stretch.
Alright, we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but if you’re patient, the second week is where the magic starts to line up. The first few days are small, but the wait is worth it.
Jaco Beach is the only show in town, and it’s a classic beach break. The water temp is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the wetsuit at home.
We begin on Friday the 7th of August with a bit of a dud. A risk of thunderstorms and a cross-on wind from the SSW at 6 mph makes for poor surf. The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the SSW with a long 17-second period, but the combined energy is weak (450). It’s just not doing much.
Saturday the 8th is where it perks up. Saturday morning is the first real stand-out of the period. The wind is glassy from the NNW at 3 mph, and we’ve got a clean 3 ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period. Combined energy is moderate (493). This is a proper long-period groundswell, so it’ll be lined up and have some push, but at this size, it’s perfect for a longboard or a funboard. It’s very consistent here, so you won’t be waiting long. Keep in mind, crowds are possible. Saturday afternoon sees the risk of thunderstorms return, so get your session in early.
Sunday the 9th keeps the goods rolling. Sunday morning is clean with offshore wind from the ENE at 3 mph, and that same 3 ft SSW swell. It’s a beautiful morning for a glassy session. The numbers hold through the afternoon with a cross-off wind and a tiny bump to 3 ft from the SW.
Monday the 10th through to Thursday the 13th is a solid run of small, clean mornings. We’re talking 2 ft to 2 ft of SW swell, mostly with glassy conditions. The energy dips a bit (231 to 334), but the quality is there for the early birds. The afternoons get a bit of cross-shore wind and a risk of thunderstorms, so mornings are the key.
Now, the absolute standout is the morning of Saturday the 15th of August. We’re looking at 4 ft of SW swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is dead calm, glassy from the E. The combined energy is strong (1089). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s clean, it’s got power, and it’s a classic morning session. Beginners should be cautious as the swell is pushing over 5 ft. The Saturday afternoon will see a bit of cross-shore breeze, so get your fill in the morning.
Friday the 14th and Sunday the 16th of August are also excellent. Friday morning has a glassy 3 ft, 18-second swell (759 energy), and Sunday morning is a glassy 4 ft, 15-second swell (726 energy). Both are very good, but the Saturday morning is the pick of the litter.
The second week, from the 17th of August onwards, sees the swell slowly fade. The mornings are still worth a paddle, with clean 3 ft to 3 ft SW swells, but the energy is moderate. By the 21st and 22nd, it’s dropping back to 2 ft and 2 ft, and the conditions get a bit ordinary. The pattern is clear: get it while the getting is good in the first half of the window.
Stay stoked, and I’ll see you in the lineup.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
264 | 264 | 322 | 283 | 272 | 264 | 293 | 175 | 136 | 212 | 150 | 203 | 319 | 144 | 211 | 206 | 155 | 137 | 111 | 306 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:23PM2.12m | 9:52AM2.47m | 10:38PM2.13m | 11:05AM2.48m | 11:54PM2.22m | 12:16PM2.56m | 1:02AM2.39m | 1:20PM2.67m | 2:00AM2.59m | 2:17PM2.77m | 2:52AM2.77m | 3:08PM2.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:17PM0.57m | 3:26AM0.67m | 4:28PM0.56m | 4:41AM0.68m | 5:40PM0.49m | 5:56AM0.61m | 6:46PM0.36m | 7:05AM0.49m | 7:44PM0.21m | 8:05AM0.35m | 8:36PM0.09m | 8:59AM0.22m | 9:23PM0.01m | |||||||
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
90 | 264 | 322 | 283 | 272 | 264 | 293 | 175 | 136 | 212 | 101 | 203 | 241 | 144 | 211 | 57 | 55 | 69 | 80 | 95 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 15 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 20 |
264 | 78 | 114 | 57 | 38 | 22 | 45 | 30 | 29 | 41 | 150 | 37 | 319 | 57 | 56 | 206 | 155 | 137 | 102 | 306 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 15 | S 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
96 | 118 | 57 | 67 | 43 | 30 | 30 | 93 | 66 | 62 | 39 | 87 | 55 | 109 | 106 | 82 | 104 | 128 | 111 | 159 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 144 | 1 | 0 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 1 | 0 | 151 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 187 | 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.











