Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Catalina surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore 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★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s is also forecast. 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| 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, Rusty here again, breaking it down in feet and degrees Fahrenheit.
We’ve got a solid run of clean, rideable surf lining up over the next couple of weeks. The standout window is the early to mid part of this week, with the best conditions stacking up for Wednesday and Thursday mornings. The swell is mostly from the SSW, coming in at a very manageable 2-3ft and riding on a lovely 14-16 second period. That's proper groundswell, packing nice energy with moderate power. The wind is set to be offshore or light cross-off on those mornings, meaning clean, glassy faces. This is a classic point break that loves a SSW swell, so the setup is dialled.
Sunday 22nd September afternoon also looks real good, with that same 2ft SSW swell, clean conditions and lighter cross-off wind. A nice bonus at the tail end of the week.
The water is sitting at 85° – a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is noticeable. You’ll be in boardshorts for sure.
Monday 28th September morning also shows some promise with a clean 1ft SSW groundswell and light offshore wind.
Overall, the standout sessions are Wednesday 16th September and Thursday 17th September. The size is friendly for all levels, but if you see it push 2-3ft with that offshore wind and long period, it’ll have some nice shape. Playa Santa Catalina is very consistent and exposed, so it picks up most of what’s coming. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so getting out early is smart.
There are a few sessions with poor conditions, afternoons especially, when wind swings onshore and the surface gets messy. Skip those. Saturday 25th September morning will bring a sudden spike in swell to 8ft, but with a short, weak 7-second period and rubbish onshore wind – that one is for experts only, if anyone at all. It’ll be a messy, walled-up shore break.
Most of the run is consistent and clean enough to get a paddle in.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 20 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 116 | 68 | 146 | 57 | 79 | 211 | 123 | 270 | 229 | 326 | 318 | 242 | 264 | 261 | 161 | 151 | 151 | 114 | 111 | 111 | 165 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 8:55AM2.61m | 9:45PM2.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:26PM1.07m | 3:49AM1.32m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | 2 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 23 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 61 | 42 | 38 | 33 | 54 | 60 | 45 | 270 | 229 | 326 | 318 | 242 | 264 | 261 | 161 | 151 | 151 | 114 | 111 | 111 | 98 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 20 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 116 | 68 | 65 | 57 | 37 | 211 | 123 | 43 | 55 | 104 | 45 | 70 | 44 | 41 | 46 | 28 | 75 | 20 | 11 | 12 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 10 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 24 | SSW 10 | SSW 23 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 20 |
| kJ | 44 | 37 | 146 | 18 | 79 | 35 | 47 | 24 | 12 | 22 | 20 | 54 | 51 | 45 | 89 | 84 | 76 | 97 | 68 | 63 | 165 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | N 12 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | SW 2 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 25 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | 40 | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 242 | 0 | 0 | 242 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Veraguas | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Panama | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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