Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look what’s on offer at Playa Santa Teresa over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the water is sitting at a balmy 87°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s well above average, so you’ll be surfing in bathwater. The swell energy is pretty weak to start with, coming in at 297, but we’ve got a long-period groundswell from the SW at 17 seconds. That’s a classic point break pulse, but it’s only 2 ft with onshore wind, so Monday afternoon is a write-off – poor surf.

Tuesday morning the 25th is where it starts to get interesting. A clean 2 ft SW swell with 16-second period, light offshore NE breeze at 6 mph, and the energy is moderate at 248. It’s small but tidy, good for a beginner log. The wind turns ugly by the afternoon with a risk of thunderstorms and cross-onshore S wind, so only get out early.

Wednesday 26th is a glassy morning – 2 ft SW swell, 15-second period, and dead calm NE wind. The waves are ordinary, barely surfable, but it’s clean. Afternoon goes south with a cross-onshore WSW breeze.

Thursday 27th morning is a gamble – 2 ft SW swell, 18-second period (very long), but onshore SSW wind and a risk t-storm. The energy is weak at 204, and conditions are marginal. Not worth rushing for.

Friday 28th morning is a real standout. We’ve got 3 ft SW swell with a 19-second period – that groundswell has some serious push, and the combined energy jumps to 701 (moderate). The wind is cross-off from the north at 3 mph, so the wave face will be clean. This is the start of a good run. Friday afternoon goes glassy with 2 ft and 20-second period – long lulls between sets but clean as a whistle.

Saturday 29th morning is the pick of the first week. 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and dead calm glassy conditions with 0 wind. The energy is strong at 1038. That’s excellent for experienced surfers – clean, punchy, and well-shaped. Crowds are possible at Santa Teresa as it’s a consistent spot, so get out early. Saturday afternoon sees the swell nudge up to 5 ft but with onshore WSW wind, making it marginal.

Sunday 30th morning is still pumping – 5 ft SW swell, 14-second period, cross-off ENE breeze at 6 mph, and energy at 858 (moderate). Clean and very good. The afternoon gets messy with a southerly cross-on breeze.

Monday 31st morning is glassy again with 4 ft SW swell, 13-second period, and 0 wind. Good stuff. Afternoon goes onshore and marginal.

Tuesday 1st September morning offers 3 ft glassy conditions with a 12-second SW swell – nice for a slow morning session. The afternoon turns to rubbish with WSW wind.

There’s a slump midweek – Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd mornings have small SW swell (2–3 ft) but with cross-on or onshore winds and moderate energy (440–564). Not great, but Thursday 3rd morning is glassy with an E wind, so if you’re desperate, it’s clean but small.

Friday 4th September morning is a second standout. 4 ft SW swell, 18-second period, dead calm, and energy rocketing to 1225 (strong). That’s excellent for experienced surfers – powerful, clean groundswell. The wind is zero. This is the best of the second week. Saturday 5th September morning continues the run with 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, glassy ENE breeze, and energy at 1096 (strong). Another excellent morning for experienced crew. Sunday 6th September morning is still very good – 4 ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy, with 599 energy.

Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th September mornings both have glassy conditions with 3–4 ft SW swell and moderate to strong energy (631–698). Clean and very good.

The biggest standout is Saturday 29th August morning – glassy, 5 ft, strong energy, perfect for experienced surfers. Friday 4th September morning is the second highlight, with 4 ft and even stronger energy. Both are clean groundswell pulses.

If you’re a beginner, the best windows are Tuesday 25th August morning and Monday 1st September morning – small, clean, offshore or glassy. Anything over 5 ft is too big for beginners, so Saturday 5th September morning is for the experienced.

Crowds are possible at Playa Santa Teresa, and it’s a consistent, exposed beach break drawing mainly W to WNW swell, which matches the guidance optimum of WNW, so the direction is on point.

The gap between Tuesday 1st September and Friday 4th September has some marginal days, but nothing worth highlighting – just a couple of days with sub-par conditions.

Rusty.

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