Jaco Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming for Jaco Beach over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the second week is shaping up to be the real story.

First up, the water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so nothing unusual to worry about on that front.

We’re looking at a few days of small, clean waves to kick things off. Thursday morning the 16th we’ve got a glassy 3ft swell out of the SSW with a nice 13-second period and moderate energy (428). It’s not huge, but with the wind dead calm it’ll be super clean. Friday morning the 17th is similar, a touch smaller at 3ft but still glassy. Saturday the 18th morning is the pick of this early run—dead calm, 2ft from the south, with a 14-second period and clean conditions. It’s small, but for a log or a funboard it’ll be a good time. Sunday morning the 19th is also worth a look with glassy 3ft south swell. The afternoons all week, though, get messy with onshore breezes and a risk of thunderstorms—those are the sessions to skip.

After that, we hit a bit of a lull mid-week. Monday morning the 20th and Tuesday morning the 21st are still small and rideable but nothing to write home about. Wednesday the 22nd is tiny and weak. Thursday the 23rd offers a short, choppy 3ft swell with a period of only 7 seconds—ordinary stuff.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. We’re looking at a pretty solid pulse of energy arriving on Friday the 24th. Friday morning brings a 2ft swell but man, the period jumps to 24 seconds—that's proper groundswell energy and it’s clean with offshore winds. The combined energy is strong at (664). This kind of long-period SW groundswell will be best on the points and reefs, as it might break a bit straight on the beach.

Saturday the 25th morning is the standout of the whole run. We’ll have a glassy 3ft swell out of the SW with a 21-second period and very strong energy (848). The conditions are perfect—clean, glassy, and that swell has got some serious grunt behind it. This is the session to circle on your calendar, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

The energy really builds from there. Sunday the 26th morning sees 4ft with 19 seconds and very strong energy (1026), but it’s a bit cross-shore. By Monday the 27th morning, we hit the biggest swell of the period: 4ft from the SW with an 18-second period and massive energy (1120). Winds are glassy. This is excellent for experienced surfers, as it’s pushing into the bigger range. The afternoons during this run get onshore and choppy, so mornings are the go.

The swell holds into Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th, but the energy drops off and the wind stays cross-onshore, making things messier. Thursday the 30th is similar. Finally, we finish up on Friday the 31st with a return to cleaner conditions: glassy 3ft SSW swell with 14 seconds and strong energy (582)—a nice way to wrap things up.

So, the pick of the lot is Saturday morning the 25th for that perfect glassy, long-period groundswell. Monday morning the 27th is the one for the more experienced crew wanting some size. Don’t sleep on this second week—it’s got some real quality.

Rusty.

Read more