Playa Santa Catalina Surf Break

Lat Long: 7.61° N 81.24° W

Playa Santa Catalina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Santa Catalina sea temperature is
29.7° C
1.7° 

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


Playa Santa Catalina surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 469 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 (Aug 08) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Catalina in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (EST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 8th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 8th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 8th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 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 coming down the line for Playa Santa Catalina. This is a cracking little point break that’s very consistent, and it’s set to be the only game in town for the next couple of weeks.

The water is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the wetsuit at home.

We kick off on Friday, the 7th of August, with a nice little pulse. The swell is 2 ft from the SSW, with a period of 17 seconds. That’s a proper long-period groundswell, which means lots of energy and nice shaped waves, but with longer waits between sets. The combined energy is moderate at 447. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE at 9 mph, which will keep the wave faces clean. It’s a solid start.

Saturday the 8th looks like the standout of the early run. The morning is the pick of the weekend. The swell ticks up a touch to 3 ft from the SSW, period is still a very healthy 16 seconds, and the wind is true offshore from the NNE at 6 mph. It’s going to be glassy and clean. The combined energy is up to 509 (moderate). That’s going to be a really fun session, with the point offering up some long, peeling lines.

Saturday afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-shore wind and a risk of thunderstorms, so get in early.

Sunday the 9th has a moderate breeze in the morning, but the afternoon glass-off with a 3 mph wind and clean conditions looks good for a sunset session. Swell is 3 ft on the 14-second period.

The next week or so stays steady with clean morning sessions most days. The mornings of the 12th and 13th of August are looking particularly tidy with glassy conditions and light winds. The swell dips a little to 2 ft, but it’s still clean.

The next real standout hits on Saturday the 15th of August. The swell jumps up to 4 ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period. The combined energy jumps to 638 (moderate). The wind is a solid offshore from the NNE at 9 mph. This is the best-looking swell of the whole window. Clean, strong, and consistent. The afternoon goes glassy too. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

After that, we have a steady run of clean mornings, with the 17th and 18th offering 2-3 ft surf with light offshore or cross-off winds. The 21st of August finishes the run with a nice glassy afternoon.

The run peters out on the 22nd of August. The swell drops right off to 1 ft and the combined energy is weak at 117. The wind turns onshore, so don’t expect much.

Overall, the best wave is hands down Saturday the 15th of August. The 4 ft SSW groundswell with offshore winds is going to deliver some of the best waves of the 16-day run. The 8th of August is a close second. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.7
SSW
12
0.5
SSW
19
0.6
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
18
0.5
SSW
17
0.7
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SW
20
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
267
226
288
439
330
394
285
195
111
136
214
133
276
164
229
357
301
236
141
137
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
N
10
NNE
15
W
10
NNW
20
NE
5
NNE
10
N
15
NNE
5
E
5
NNW
10
NNE
15
S
10
WNW
5
ENE
10
SW
5
NW
5
NNE
10
SW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:26PM2.67m
10:51AM2.98m
11:44PM2.70m
12:07PM3.01m
1:00AM2.84m
1:19PM3.13m
2:06AM3.07m
2:22PM3.29m
3:03AM3.32m
3:18PM3.45m
3:53AM3.53m
4:08PM3.55m
Low Tide
4:13PM0.75m
4:29AM0.95m
5:27PM0.74m
5:48AM0.95m
6:40PM0.63m
7:04AM0.83m
7:46PM0.45m
8:10AM0.65m
8:43PM0.26m
9:08AM0.45m
9:34PM0.10m
10:00AM0.29m
10:21PM0.02m
part cloud
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:43
6:42
6:42
6:42
6:42
6:40
6:40
 mm
4
5
1
1
7
1
2
2
2
2
2
Temp °C
32
28
31
31
28
30
32
28
31
31
28
31
30
28
29
29
28
29
29
28
Feels °C
34
31
35
34
31
31
35
30
34
35
33
36
33
33
32
32
33
32
32
32
  • Map Icons:
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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 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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