
Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastLight 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 SummaryModerate 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 | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
267 | 226 | 288 | 439 | 330 | 394 | 285 | 195 | 111 | 136 | 214 | 133 | 276 | 164 | 229 | 357 | 301 | 236 | 141 | 137 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 |
267 | 164 | 288 | 439 | 330 | 394 | 285 | 195 | 111 | 136 | 126 | 133 | 276 | 118 | 229 | 357 | 301 | 236 | 49 | 36 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | S 24 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
136 | 226 | 164 | 35 | 11 | 13 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 214 | 29 | 116 | 164 | 156 | 28 | 34 | 38 | 141 | 137 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 9 | S 11 | — | S 24 | SSW 18 | SW 22 | SW 22 | SSW 16 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SW 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 20 |
44 | 47 | 57 | — | 11 | 32 | 18 | 18 | 102 | 83 | 56 | 127 | 30 | 47 | 31 | 75 | 7 | 18 | 42 | 97 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 131 | 0 | 0 | 242 | 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.











