Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Catalina surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 622 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Playa Santa Catalina this week:
The surf forecast for Playa Santa Catalina over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Catalina in the next 16 days are 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Catalina over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The water’s sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, around 86°, so you can leave the wetsuit at home. It’s a nice little anomaly that makes the whole session feel that much better.
The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. We’ve got a consistent pulse of south-southwest swell, but it’s not huge – we’re looking at that 2ft to 3ft range for most of it. The energy is moderate, with readings mostly sitting in the 200s and 300s (like 229, 337, 381), so there’s enough push for a decent shortboard or a fun fish, but don’t expect any bombs. The period is mostly in that 13 to 18 second window, which is proper groundswell, so the lines should have some shape to them.
The standout looks like Monday the 16th. The morning session is where it’s at. We’ve got that swell bumping up to 3ft, the energy jumps to a solid 521, and the wind is light and cross-offshore with the sky just some clouds. It’s going to be clean and lined up. That’s the one you want to circle.
Before that, Monday afternoon the 7th and Tuesday morning the 8th are also worth a paddle. Monday afternoon has 3ft of SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is glassy – proper clean conditions at Playa Santa Catalina. Tuesday morning is similar, 2ft but with a longer 18-second period, which might make it a bit more lined up and powerful for the size. The wind is a light cross-offshore, so it should be nice and clean.
There’s a bit of a lull around the 14th and 15th – the swell drops to 1ft and 1ft, and the energy falls off. It’s still surfable, but you’ll be working hard for not much. Then it picks up again for that Wednesday morning peak. The rest of the second week is pretty average, with the wind getting messy in the afternoons and the swell staying inconsistent.
One thing to watch – this is a very consistent break, so the lack of size early on is just the rhythm of it. But that morning of the 16th is the pick of the bunch, no doubt.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 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 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 236 | 222 | 273 | 181 | 226 | 217 | 215 | 622 | 312 | 430 | 397 | 397 | 302 | 214 | 211 | 183 | 120 | 116 | 116 | 146 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 00:54AM2.88m | 1:15PM3.03m | 1:56AM3.13m | 2:15PM3.21m | 2:48AM3.37m | 3:06PM3.37m | 3:33AM3.56m | 3:52PM3.48m | 4:14AM3.67m | 4:34PM3.52m | 4:53AM3.68m | 5:14PM3.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:31PM0.70m | 7:03AM0.85m | 7:36PM0.53m | 8:05AM0.63m | 8:29PM0.36m | 8:58AM0.41m | 9:17PM0.22m | 9:44AM0.24m | 9:59PM0.15m | 10:26AM0.14m | 10:40PM0.15m | 11:05AM0.12m | 11:18PM0.23m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 30 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 236 | 222 | 175 | 149 | 136 | 217 | 136 | 622 | 312 | 430 | 397 | 397 | 302 | 214 | 211 | 183 | 42 | 61 | 72 | 47 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 30 | 126 | 273 | 181 | 226 | 125 | 215 | 21 | 180 | 22 | 21 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 39 | 120 | 116 | 116 | 66 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | W 6 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | W 10 | S 6 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 148 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 37 | 95 | 8 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 37 | 15 | 6 | 61 | 45 | 44 | 37 | 146 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — | W 5 | SW 9 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 6 | — | 2 | 20 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 131 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 40 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Veraguas | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Panama | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Playa Santa Catalina Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Playa Santa Catalina provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Playa Santa Catalina can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Playa Santa Catalina 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 Santa Catalina) 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 Santa Catalina 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 Veraguas? If you are looking for accommodation near Playa Santa Catalina, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Veraguas, consider staying in Manzanillo which is 17 km (11 miles) away. Other places in and around Veraguas where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Las Minas which is 57 km (35 miles) away, Santiago de Veraguas and Chitre.
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