Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period with SW 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 (Aug 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead at Playa Santa Teresa. The water is sitting at a warm 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a bath out there. The pattern is mostly small to medium SW groundswell, with some really clean windows if you pick your mornings.
The first few days are a bit of a tease. Wednesday morning (26 August) has waist-high 2 ft SW swell at 15 seconds, with glassy conditions, but there’s a risk of thunderstorms and the energy is weak (140). It’s surfable but nothing to write home about. Thursday morning (27 August) is a step up with similar 2 ft SW swell but a long 18-second period and more energy (204), and that glassy NW wind – it’s clean and inviting. The real standout begins Friday morning (28 August). That’s when we see 3 ft SW groundswell, period 19 seconds, and a glassy NNE breeze. The wave energy jumps to a solid 714, and the conditions are rated very good.
Saturday morning (29 August) is the best of the first week. The swell pushes to 5 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, with clean offshore ENE wind at 10 km/h. The energy is pumping at 1082, and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the morning to circle. Sunday morning (30 August) keeps the fun going with 5 ft SW swell, glassy NE wind, and strong energy (859).
There’s a bit of a lull Monday and Tuesday (31 Aug – 1 Sep) with smaller swell and some messy wind, but Tuesday afternoon (1 September) throws a curveball: 6 ft of short-period SSW swell (7 seconds) with glassy conditions and massive energy (1002). That’s raw, powerful, and for experts only – the short period means it’ll be chunky and fast.
Wednesday morning (2 September) is back to clean 2 ft SW groundswell at 18 seconds, glassy WNW wind, and nice energy (531). Worth a dawn paddle. Then Thursday morning (3 September) is small but glassy again.
The second week holds some real promise. Friday morning (4 September) sees 4 ft SW swell at 17 seconds, glassy ESE wind, and energy at 1166 – excellent for experienced surfers. Saturday morning (5 September) is similar: 5 ft SW, 16 seconds, glassy, energy 1146. Then Sunday morning (6 September) is a touch smaller at 4 ft but still glassy and clean.
After a few days of smaller, wind-affected surf, the run continues Tuesday morning (8 September) with 2 ft SW groundswell, 19-second period, glassy W wind, and energy 512 – very good for the size. Wednesday morning (9 September) is clean with a cross-off ESE wind, 4 ft SW swell, and strong energy (933). Thursday morning (10 September) is the last real standout: 5 ft SW, 16 seconds, glassy ENE wind, energy 1074 – excellent for experienced surfers again.
Best on offer? Saturday morning (29 August) and Friday morning (4 September). Both have solid SW swell, clean glassy or offshore wind, and plenty of energy. The long-period SW groundswell (16-19 seconds) will wrap nicely into Santa Teresa, which is exposed to WNW swell – so this SW groundswell should hold some good shape. Expect some gaps between sets, which makes paddling out easier. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
110 | 77 | 75 | 150 | 81 | 239 | 531 | 239 | 777 | 1029 | 1109 | 1001 | 833 | 726 | 541 | 392 | 386 | 282 | 223 | 382 | 167 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 1:41PM2.23m | 2:13AM2.21m | 2:22PM2.33m | 2:50AM2.36m | 3:00PM2.40m | 3:24AM2.49m | 3:37PM2.46m | 3:58AM2.59m | 4:14PM2.47m | 4:33AM2.64m | 4:51PM2.45m | 5:10AM2.65m | 5:30PM2.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:59PM0.48m | 8:15AM0.58m | 8:36PM0.39m | 8:54AM0.47m | 9:10PM0.31m | 9:32AM0.36m | 9:44PM0.26m | 10:09AM0.29m | 10:19PM0.25m | 10:46AM0.25m | 10:54PM0.26m | 11:25AM0.25m | 11:33PM0.30m | ||||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 6 | 8 | — | 6 | 18 | 18 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 8 | S 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 |
52 | 79 | 74 | 57 | 57 | 60 | 60 | 44 | 777 | 1029 | 1109 | 1001 | 833 | 726 | 541 | 392 | 386 | 323 | 246 | 288 | 167 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | S 7 | W 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
110 | 77 | 75 | 150 | 76 | 239 | 531 | 235 | 44 | 53 | 82 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 42 | 6 | 282 | 223 | 220 | 154 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 21 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 14 | S 11 | — | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | S 10 | S 7 | WSW 6 | SSW 20 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
30 | 11 | 56 | 54 | 81 | 72 | 123 | 239 | 189 | 59 | — | 17 | 26 | 45 | 33 | 20 | 37 | 6 | 84 | 112 | 112 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | — | — | SSW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 | — | — | 382 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 68 | 0 | 2 |
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.











