
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, SSW swell with 523 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period with SSW 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Teresa in the next 16 days are 1.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Playa Santa Teresa over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water is running a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 87°, so you’ll be in for a comfortable paddle.
The next few days are all about small, clean, fun waves. Monday morning kicks things off with a light offshore breeze from the ENE and 3 ft of SSW swell, period 13 seconds. The energy is moderate (225), and conditions are clean. It’s not a massive day, but it’s a nice, easy start for the beginners. The water is a touch warmer than usual.
Tuesday morning, July 14, picks up a little more energy (416), still 3 ft from the SSW, with a light offshore from the NE. It’s consistent and clean.
Wednesday morning, July 15, offers more of the same – 3 ft SSW, cross-offshore breeze, and clean conditions. The energy is solid (303).
Thursday morning, July 16, sees glassy conditions with the wind dropping to next to nothing. The swell holds at 3 ft SSW, and the energy is moderate (354). This is a standout morning for a quiet, glassy paddle.
The pattern holds through Friday morning, July 17, but Friday afternoon, July 17, is a real gem. The wind goes glassy, and the swell is 3 ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, with strong energy (488). This is one of the best windows – clean, glassy, and punchy enough for a fun session.
The weekend sees a bit of a drop. Saturday morning, July 18, is clean but small (3 ft, 164 energy). Sunday morning, July 19, is where things get interesting again: 4 ft of SSW swell, period 14 seconds, glassy conditions, and high energy (629). This is a proper standout. Good shape, clean, and the water is still warm. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.
Monday, July 20, follows with another excellent morning: 3 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, offshore wind, and energy at 614. The long period means the waves will have good shape and power, but at a beach break like this, they might be a little too straight. Still, it’s a very good session.
The middle of the week, July 21–22, stays clean and fun but smaller. The energy drops off, and the swell settles around 2–3 ft. It’s still surfable, particularly in the mornings.
From July 23, things go quiet. The swell drops to 1 ft and the energy is weak (53–81). The 24th of July sees a bump of 4 ft, but it’s short period, wind-affected, and messy. Not worth paddling out for.
Now, July 25 is a wild card. Saturday morning brings a glassy calm with only 2 ft of swell, but the period is 21 seconds – a very long groundswell. The energy is moderate (391). This is a tricky one: the waves will be long, clean, and fat, but at a beach break, it could be too straight. Better suited for a point or reef, but if you’re patient, you might score a few clean lines.
July 26 sees a bump in energy (675) with 3 ft from the SW, period 19 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore and messy. Not the best.
The final standout is Monday morning, July 27. Offshore wind from the NE, 3 ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, and very strong energy (643). This is a promising session, though it’s over a week away, so fingers crossed it holds.
Overall, the best sessions are Sunday morning July 19, Friday afternoon July 17, and Monday morning July 27. The rest are small but clean fun. After the 23rd, the surf goes flat for a few days before that long-period pulse shows up.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 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 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
225 | 229 | 83 | 371 | 269 | 181 | 246 | 196 | 163 | 261 | 396 | 163 | 271 | 372 | 402 | 164 | 206 | 437 | 507 | 194 | 194 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:26PM2.63m | 2:08AM2.41m | 2:24PM2.71m | 3:03AM2.56m | 3:18PM2.75m | 3:55AM2.67m | 4:09PM2.74m | 4:44AM2.73m | 4:59PM2.68m | 5:32AM2.73m | 5:48PM2.57m | 6:19AM2.67m | 6:36PM2.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:54PM0.13m | 8:09AM0.30m | 8:48PM0.03m | 9:06AM0.21m | 9:38PM-0.04m | 10:00AM0.17m | 10:27PM-0.04m | 10:52AM0.18m | 11:14PM0.01m | 11:43AM0.23m | 00:00AM0.13m | 12:33PM0.32m | 00:46AM0.28m | ||||||||
5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 12 |
225 | 229 | 215 | 371 | 269 | 181 | 246 | 113 | 113 | 261 | 396 | 161 | 271 | 372 | 402 | 164 | 206 | 437 | 507 | 304 | 319 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 16 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 |
32 | 186 | 83 | 19 | 87 | 88 | 54 | 196 | 163 | 91 | 41 | 163 | 75 | 54 | 13 | 203 | 195 | 46 | 21 | 30 | 51 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 6 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 7 | S 16 | S 15 | S 8 | SW 21 | SW 15 | S 6 | SW 20 | S 16 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
134 | 20 | 27 | 45 | 111 | 154 | 16 | 174 | 119 | 11 | 17 | 75 | 7 | 62 | 81 | 19 | 19 | 95 | 122 | 194 | 194 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 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.










