
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Playa Santa Teresa this week:
The surf forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Teresa in the next 16 days are 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Playa Santa Teresa in feet and knots.
The water’s warm, running about 86°F, which is a little warmer than usual for this time of year. The first couple of days are quiet, but it’s gonna get real good.
The standout is the morning of Sunday, July 26th. Glassy conditions, 4ft swell from the SW, and the combined energy is 791—solid moderate energy. This spot can get busy sometimes, so paddle out early.
The absolute best runs are the mornings of Monday, July 27th and Tuesday, July 28th. Monday morning is glassy, 3ft SW swell, and the energy is pumping at 1182. Tuesday morning is even bigger: 5ft from the SW with energy at 1404, and a light cross-off breeze from the ENE. Both mornings are perfect for experienced surfers, and the swell direction matches the optimum WNW exposure.
After that, Wednesday, July 29th morning is clean with 5ft SW swell and energy at 1088, but by Thursday, July 30th it’s back to 4ft and 532 energy. Still good, but not as strong.
Once August hits, the energy drops. The mornings of Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd are glassy with 3ft and 2ft swells, but the energy is low—347 and 214. Monday, August 3rd morning is glassy with 3ft, but it’s small. From Tuesday, August 4th through Thursday, August 6th, the swell drops to 1ft to 2ft, with energy barely over 100. It’s surfable, but not exciting.
Friday, August 7th morning gives a little pulse: 2ft from the SSW with a long 18-second period, glassy, and energy at 309. Weak, but that long period will make it look better on the points.
Best windows: the mornings from July 27th through July 30th, with glassy or light offshore winds and solid SW groundswell. Don’t sleep on Sunday July 26th either.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
92 | 101 | 131 | 444 | 271 | 898 | 543 | 563 | 1100 | 791 | 996 | 962 | 621 | 920 | 1327 | 1199 | 1519 | 1225 | 1082 | 964 | 695 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:34AM2.17m | 10:12PM1.86m | 10:32AM2.10m | 11:16PM1.83m | 11:31AM2.08m | 00:18AM1.86m | 12:28PM2.12m | 1:12AM1.93m | 1:19PM2.19m | 1:59AM2.03m | 2:05PM2.27m | 2:41AM2.15m | 2:46PM2.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:07PM0.70m | 4:11AM0.83m | 5:08PM0.72m | 5:13AM0.86m | 6:07PM0.69m | 6:12AM0.84m | 7:01PM0.62m | 7:06AM0.77m | 7:47PM0.53m | 7:54AM0.70m | 8:29PM0.44m | 8:38AM0.62m | 9:06PM0.36m | ||||||||
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | |
— | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 7 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
30 | 101 | 131 | 103 | 86 | 898 | 543 | 563 | 1100 | 791 | 996 | 962 | 553 | 920 | 1327 | 1199 | 1519 | 1225 | 1082 | 964 | 695 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | S 7 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 8 | S 11 | WSW 8 | WSW 11 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SW 19 | SW 14 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 6 | S 6 |
92 | 57 | 62 | 444 | 271 | 82 | 116 | 51 | 111 | 44 | 46 | 94 | 621 | 293 | 57 | 205 | 56 | 85 | 83 | 27 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | S 7 | SW 13 | S 12 | SW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSW 11 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
34 | 20 | 53 | 36 | 56 | 67 | 59 | 58 | 42 | 52 | 52 | 18 | 66 | 65 | 28 | 56 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Playa Santa Teresa Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Playa Santa Teresa 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 Teresa can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Playa Santa Teresa 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 Teresa) 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 Teresa 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.
Playa Santa Teresa is 51 km (32 miles) from Puntarenas. If you plan a holiday in Golfo de Nicoya, look for hotels and other accommodation in Puntarenas. Puntarenas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










