Surf Forecasts:
Jaco Beach surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with 371 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. 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+) | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jaco Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cooking for Jaco Beach over the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but there's some real potential sneaking in down the line.
For the first week and a half, we're looking at small, playful waves. The swell is coming from the SW, generally around 1ft to 3ft. The energy is moderate, with the combined swell energy bouncing around the 300s and 500s. The real story here is the wind. We've got plenty of mornings with glassy conditions, particularly on Monday the 14th, Tuesday the 15th, and Wednesday the 16th. Those early sessions are going to be your best bet for a clean, uncrowded wave, even if the size is small. The water is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year at 86°F.
The standout window starts to build on Saturday the 20th of September. The morning brings another glassy session with 3ft SW swell (combined energy of 571). It’s a solid, clean option. But the real highlight is Sunday the 27th of September. That’s a date to circle. We've got a proper 7ft swell rolling in from the W, with a period of 11 seconds and some serious energy behind it—a combined energy of 1335. The wind is forecast to be glassy in the morning and cross-off in the afternoon. This is going to be powerful, clean surf for experienced surfers only. It's over 5ft, so it’s too big for beginners. Because it’s a longer-period swell and Jaco is a beach break, it might close out a bit, but with that kind of power and clean conditions, it'll still be the best of the lot.
The week leading up to that is pretty cruisy, but don't sleep on the consistent 3ft glassy mornings around Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th. Crowds can be an issue at Jaco sometimes, so those early starts are key.
That final weekend, the 27th, is the one to chase.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 245 | 176 | 140 | 131 | 234 | 127 | 192 | 252 | 192 | 358 | 310 | 371 | 291 | 251 | 248 | 297 | 238 | 145 | 138 | 184 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:36PM2.77m | 3:56AM2.93m | 4:17PM2.74m | 4:34AM2.89m | 4:56PM2.65m | 5:12AM2.79m | 5:35PM2.52m | 5:50AM2.64m | 6:15PM2.37m | 6:29AM2.47m | 6:56PM2.20m | 7:12AM2.31m | 7:44PM2.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:42PM0.12m | 10:10AM0.11m | 10:22PM0.17m | 10:50AM0.15m | 11:00PM0.26m | 11:29AM0.24m | 11:38PM0.39m | 12:08PM0.37m | 00:17AM0.54m | 12:50PM0.52m | 00:58AM0.70m | 1:36PM0.68m | 1:46AM0.86m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | 3 | 4 | — | 5 | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 6 | 29 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 245 | 76 | 99 | 99 | 73 | 92 | 92 | 88 | 108 | 111 | 95 | 371 | 291 | 251 | 248 | 297 | 238 | 138 | 138 | 138 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 64 | 176 | 140 | 108 | 234 | 73 | 192 | 252 | 192 | 358 | 310 | 96 | 90 | 68 | 83 | 76 | 71 | 71 | 55 | 57 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 10 | SW 22 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 80 | 30 | 70 | 131 | 104 | 127 | 52 | 49 | 128 | 109 | 79 | 51 | 50 | 18 | 78 | 118 | 160 | 145 | 136 | 184 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 154 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 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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