Playa El Yanqui Surf Break

Lat Long: 11.17° N 85.81° W

Playa El Yanqui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa El Yanqui sea temperature is
29.4°C
1.1° 

Playa El Yanqui surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Playa El Yanqui surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 480 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Playa El Yanqui this week:

The surf forecast for Playa El Yanqui over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Playa El Yanqui in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 20th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 19s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 16th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa El Yanqui over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for Playa El Yanqui over the next couple of weeks. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no need for a thick steamer.

Right now, things are pretty flat and grim. The first few days are a write-off with tiny, weak swell and strong winds making a mess of things. We’ve got a real dry spell from now all the way through Thursday the 18th. The swell is small, the energy is low (around 254-467 on the energy scale), and the wind is blowing hard offshore but the waves just aren't there to ride. It’s frustrating.

Things start to turn on Friday the 18th. That afternoon we finally get a clean, moderate offshore breeze with a clean-up. The swell is still only 3ft from the SW, but the energy is picking up a bit (379). Not a standout, but a glimmer of hope.

The first real standout comes on Sunday the 20th. The morning has clean 3ft SW groundswell with a long 19-second period. The energy jumps up to a healthy 604, and we’ve got a gentle offshore wind. This is a proper long-period groundswell, meaning better shaped waves and longer lulls between sets. It’ll be great for a longboard or a fish, especially at this exposed beach. Crowds are possible, as it’s a consistent spot, but the quality should make up for it for the competent surfer.

The absolute best on offer, and what I’d circle on your calendar, is Wednesday the 23rd. We get a clean 6ft to 6ft SW swell. That’s solid, punchy surf. The morning has a light offshore wind, and by the afternoon it goes glassy. The energy is massive for this break at 714-750. This is proper head-high plus, clean, and powerful. It’s not for beginners—over 5ft it gets a bit much—but for an experienced surfer, this is a proper session.

After that, we get a drop back down for a few days, but another window opens up on the 26th and 27th of September. Saturday the 26th sees a big, powerful 6ft W swell roll in with very strong energy (over 1100), but it comes with onshore winds and the swell direction isn’t ideal for the beach setup. Sunday the 27th is the better bet: a clean 5ft to 5ft W swell, with a 12-second period, clean conditions and light offshore wind in the afternoon. That afternoon session is rated excellent for experienced surfers, and with the energy over 1000, it’s got some real grunt.

So, don’t bother with the first week. The best bets are the morning of Sunday the 20th for the long-period groundswell, and the absolute standout is Wednesday the 23rd for clean, glassy, head-high surf. The last weekend of September also has potential, but it’s more of a wildcard.

Stay stoked.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu morning, light winds from the E by Fri night).

Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
19
0.4
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.8
SW
13
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
184
127
192
307
197
297
310
427
480
355
346
346
234
205
205
184
179
132
201
Wind (km/h)
30
ENE
35
ENE
40
ENE
30
ENE
35
ENE
30
ENE
25
ENE
30
ENE
30
ENE
25
ENE
35
ENE
30
ENE
25
ENE
25
ENE
25
ENE
15
E
25
ENE
20
NE
15
ENE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
4:28AM2.62m
4:50PM2.38m
5:07AM2.54m
5:30PM2.27m
5:46AM2.41m
6:10PM2.13m
6:26AM2.27m
6:52PM1.99m
7:09AM2.12m
7:40PM1.85m
7:59AM1.99m
8:38PM1.74m
Low Tide
10:16PM0.15m
10:45AM0.14m
10:55PM0.23m
11:25AM0.22m
11:33PM0.34m
12:05PM0.34m
00:12AM0.47m
12:47PM0.47m
00:53AM0.61m
1:34PM0.60m
1:40AM0.75m
2:29PM0.72m
2:37AM0.86m
part cloud
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thunderstorm
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clear
part cloud
part cloud
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part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:44
5:43
5:42
5:42
5:40
 mm
1
3
2
1
5
Temp °C
27
30
29
26
29
30
27
30
31
27
29
31
28
31
32
28
31
32
28
Feels °C
25
28
26
25
28
29
26
28
30
26
27
30
28
31
32
31
32
32
30
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Playa El Yanqui Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Playa El Yanqui provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Playa El Yanqui can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Playa El Yanqui 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 (Playa El Yanqui) 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 Playa El Yanqui 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.

Playa El Yanqui is 11 km (7 miles) from San Juan del Sur. If you plan a holiday in Rivas Province, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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