Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Catalina surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with 881 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. 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 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Catalina over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.
We’re looking at a solid run of surf coming up at Playa Santa Catalina, a point break that’s very consistent and handles a south-southwest swell like a charm. The water is sitting at 85° and is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be in for a pleasant paddle.
The first real standout is Friday the 4th of September. We’ve got a clean 3 ft groundswell from the SSW, with a very long period of 17 seconds, and the wind is glassy. That’s a recipe for some smooth, lined-up waves. The combined energy is moderate to strong (654), so there’s some push behind it. This is a point break, so that long period will wrap in beautifully. It’s an advanced wave, and it can get crowded sometimes, so be ready to share.
Saturday the 5th of September is another absolute gem. The morning starts glassy again with a 4 ft SSW swell, period still riding high at 16 seconds, and the combined energy is strong (724). The wind is offshore in the afternoon, keeping it clean. This is the best two-day window we’ve got—Friday and Saturday mornings are the pick.
Sunday the 6th is still good with a 3 ft swell and cross-offshore winds, but the energy drops a bit (471). It’s still clean, just not as punchy.
Looking further out, Tuesday the 8th of September has a glassy morning with a 2 ft swell, but the period is a very long 18 seconds, giving it a nice feel. The energy is moderate (504). It’s a solid option, but the swell is smaller.
From the 12th of September onwards, the swell drops off. The 13th and 14th see waves around 1 ft to 2 ft, with weak energy (under 200). The mornings are still clean, but the surf is just ordinary. The 16th of September shows a tiny pulse of 2 ft glassy surf, but it’s not worth getting excited about. The 17th has a small 2 ft set in the morning with glassy conditions, but it’s a minor bump.
The real story is the first week: Friday and Saturday are the standouts. Don’t sleep on the glassy mornings.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 212 | 261 | 181 | 161 | 242 | 404 | 528 | 622 | 539 | 620 | 666 | 487 | 443 | 437 | 321 | 312 | 236 | 222 | 273 | 215 | 226 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:11PM3.10m | 7:29AM3.30m | 8:00PM2.94m | 8:20AM3.13m | 8:59PM2.78m | 9:23AM2.96m | 10:13PM2.68m | 10:40AM2.86m | 11:37PM2.71m | 12:02PM2.89m | 00:54AM2.88m | 1:15PM3.03m | 1:56AM3.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:03PM0.39m | 1:13AM0.57m | 1:50PM0.51m | 2:02AM0.73m | 2:46PM0.65m | 3:03AM0.90m | 3:54PM0.77m | 4:20AM1.01m | 5:14PM0.80m | 5:46AM1.00m | 6:31PM0.70m | 7:03AM0.85m | 7:36PM0.53m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — |
mm | — | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 212 | 261 | 129 | 161 | 242 | 404 | 528 | 622 | 539 | 620 | 666 | 487 | 443 | 437 | 321 | 312 | 236 | 222 | 219 | 215 | 136 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 13 | 166 | 181 | 98 | 158 | 115 | 105 | 107 | 133 | 99 | 54 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 148 | 126 | 273 | 181 | 226 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 7 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | W 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 11 | W 9 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 124 | 119 | 18 | 145 | 145 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 41 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 75 | 125 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 131 | 69 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 131 | 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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