Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Catalina surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 326 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Catalina in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (EST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Catalina over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's get into what's happening at Playa Santa Catalina. We've got a solid run of small but clean windows coming up, so don't write this stretch off.
The standout window is the very start. Saturday morning, September 12th is the pick of the bunch. We're looking at a clean 2ft SSW groundswell, with a nice long 14-second period. The wind is glassy out of the ENE, so the point will be smooth as silk. The overall wave energy is moderate, but with those conditions, the quality will punch above its weight. Just keep an eye on the sky – there's a risk of thunderstorms around.
Sunday morning, September 13th, is another cracker. The swell drops a touch to 2ft, but it's still clean with that glassy NNE wind. The period holds at 13 seconds, so the lines will still have some shape. Another morning for the log or a mid-length.
We’ve got a bit of a gap through the middle of the week with afternoon onshores messing things up, but the mornings keep delivering. Tuesday the 15th, Wednesday the 16th, and Thursday the 17th all offer clean, glassy starts with waist-high swell. The swell period stays in that sweet spot (11 to 16 seconds), and each morning sees light winds. The energy ticks up on Wednesday and Thursday, which is noticeable for the size.
For the second week, it gets a bit more uncertain. The mornings from the 23rd to the 27th are looking smaller and less consistent, but there's a promising blip right at the end. Sunday morning, September 27th shows a tiny 1ft swell, but with a very long 18-second period, zero wind, and glassy conditions. It won't be powerful, but if you've got a log, it could be a fun, clean finale. That long period will make it super clean but might wall up a bit on the point, so keep moving.
Overall, the mornings are the play here. If you can get out before the seabreeze and thunderstorms kick in, you'll find plenty of clean, fun waves. Stay safe and watch the sky.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 183 | 183 | 120 | 116 | 68 | 146 | 57 | 79 | 211 | 126 | 270 | 229 | 326 | 318 | 242 | 264 | 261 | 161 | 151 | 151 | 113 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:14AM3.67m | 4:34PM3.52m | 4:53AM3.68m | 5:14PM3.48m | 5:30AM3.60m | 5:53PM3.36m | 6:07AM3.46m | 6:31PM3.19m | 6:44AM3.26m | 7:10PM2.99m | 7:22AM3.03m | 7:52PM2.76m | 8:04AM2.81m | 8:41PM2.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:26AM0.14m | 10:40PM0.15m | 11:05AM0.12m | 11:18PM0.23m | 11:44AM0.18m | 11:56PM0.36m | 12:21PM0.31m | 00:33AM0.54m | 1:00PM0.49m | 1:11AM0.74m | 1:41PM0.69m | 1:53AM0.96m | 2:28PM0.90m | 2:43AM1.16m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 3 | — | 4 | 3 | 7 | 5 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 183 | 183 | 62 | 61 | 39 | 39 | 35 | 67 | 54 | 126 | 270 | 229 | 326 | 318 | 242 | 264 | 261 | 161 | 151 | 151 | 113 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 10 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
| kJ | 37 | 40 | 120 | 116 | 68 | 65 | 57 | 37 | 211 | 123 | 59 | 59 | 48 | 21 | 49 | 44 | 41 | 41 | 42 | 40 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 10 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 23 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 20 |
| kJ | 13 | 61 | 45 | 44 | 37 | 146 | 18 | 79 | 35 | 33 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 54 | 51 | 45 | 89 | 84 | 75 | 97 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 98 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 0 | 0 | 209 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 40 | 0 | 83 | 40 | 0 | 209 | 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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