Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period, SSW swell with 444 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 1.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 1.1m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk surf.
We’ve got a solid run of waves coming, with the best windows early on and a few more promising options later in the period. The water is running about average for the time of year, so no need to dig out the thick rubber or worry about a warm-water flush.
Playa Santa Teresa is the only game in town, and it’s an exposed beach setup that’s been consistent lately. The first standout arrives on Friday morning, July 17th. We’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the SSW, with a nice 12-second period, and a light offshore NNE breeze. The energy is moderate (403), and the conditions are looking clean. This is your best bet for a proper session.
Sunday morning, July 19th is another cracker. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the SSW, still a 12-second period, and that light offshore NNE wind returns. The energy is strong (520), and the forecast is for very good surf. Get on it.
Monday morning, July 20th is almost a carbon copy of Sunday – 3 ft SSW, offshore NE breeze, and strong energy (519). Another morning worth an early alarm.
Now, the real standout comes later. Monday morning, July 27th is looking special. A 4 ft SSW swell with a long 19-second period, light cross-offshore wind from the east, and the energy is very strong (1399). This is a groundswell with serious power, and it’ll be clean. The long period means it’ll be best at a point or reef, but at a beach break like this, it could be a bit straight and lines will be long between sets. For experienced surfers, this is a prime session.
The week before that, Sunday morning, July 26th also has a 4 ft SSW swell with a 19-second period, glassy conditions, and very strong energy (954). That’s a solid option too.
Thursday morning, July 30th rounds it out with a clean 3 ft SSW swell, glassy conditions, and moderate energy (524). A nice end to the run.
The period from July 22nd onward has a few smaller, wind-affected days, and the afternoons are generally a write-off with onshore breezes. The second week sees some bigger energy but also more wind, so keep your expectations in check for the long-range stuff. The July 27th morning is the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 163 | 271 | 372 | 331 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 398 | 197 | 194 | 260 | 306 | 309 | 301 | 248 | 212 | 171 | 100 | 92 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:44AM2.73m | 4:59PM2.68m | 5:32AM2.73m | 5:48PM2.57m | 6:19AM2.67m | 6:36PM2.42m | 7:05AM2.56m | 7:25PM2.26m | 7:52AM2.43m | 8:16PM2.09m | 8:41AM2.29m | 9:11PM1.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:27PM-0.04m | 10:52AM0.18m | 11:14PM0.01m | 11:43AM0.23m | 00:00AM0.13m | 12:33PM0.32m | 00:46AM0.28m | 1:23PM0.43m | 1:32AM0.45m | 2:14PM0.54m | 2:20AM0.61m | 3:08PM0.64m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 11 |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 32 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 8 |
| kJ | 161 | 271 | 372 | 331 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 398 | 304 | 319 | 260 | 195 | 309 | 301 | 248 | 212 | 47 | 41 | 93 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 18 | SSW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 163 | 75 | 54 | 22 | 203 | 195 | 30 | 30 | 197 | 34 | 257 | 306 | 184 | 51 | 45 | 49 | 171 | 100 | 92 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 16 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 14 | SW 18 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 75 | 57 | 62 | 81 | 19 | 20 | 94 | 122 | 4 | 194 | 32 | 36 | 34 | 134 | 137 | 99 | 62 | 61 | 39 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 3 | NW 7 | NW 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 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.
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