Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with 898 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m 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 1.0m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM. 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 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
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 coming up at Playa Santa Teresa.
First thing you notice is the water is sitting at 87°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Not a big deal, just means you might be in boardshorts a little longer.
We’ve got a slow start. Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th are pretty ordinary. There’s surf, but it’s small at 1ft to 3ft and the winds are messy. Not worth chasing.
Now, Monday the 20th morning is where it starts to get interesting. The swell is 3ft from the SW with a period of 16 seconds – that’s a nice long groundswell. The wind is glassy, WNW at 3 mph, and the combined energy jumps to 607 (moderate). The waves will be clean and lined up. This is a solid morning.
The next real standout is Friday the 24th morning. Swell is only 2ft, but the period is a massive 24 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell. The energy is strong at 642 (moderate to strong). Winds are offshore from the NNE at 3 mph, glassy, clean. This is a classic Santa Teresa morning: long lines, peeling rights, and no chop. For a point break setup, this kind of period is pure magic.
Then Saturday the 25th morning keeps the run going. 3ft, 21 second period, glassy conditions with a slight cross-off from the north. Energy is 578 (moderate). Another top morning.
The 26th Sunday morning bumps up to 4ft with 19 second period, clean cross-off wind, and energy at 891 (moderate). Still very good.
But the absolute best of the whole run? That’s Monday the 27th morning. The swell is 4ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and the wind is dead calm – glassy, zero wind. The combined energy is 1317 (strong). This is expert-level surf with clean, powerful walls. The size is over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is delivering.
The 29th Wednesday morning is another cracker: 5ft, 16 seconds, glassy, energy at 1109 (strong). Again, for the crew that can handle it.
After that, the second week sees solid but smaller swell, with clean mornings on the 30th, 31st, and into August 1st. The 2nd August has a 1ft, 20 second groundswell, but it’s hit by cross-onshore wind, so it’s more of a background hum.
Overall, the standout windows are the mornings of the 20th, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 29th. The 24th and 27th are the true gems. Crowds are possible at Playa Santa Teresa, especially on those clean mornings, so get out early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 164 | 164 | 367 | 122 | 197 | 260 | 314 | 361 | 309 | 301 | 248 | 250 | 171 | 103 | 92 | 73 | 57 | 138 | 444 | 271 | 898 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | on | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 9:34AM2.17m | 10:12PM1.86m | 10:32AM2.10m | 11:16PM1.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:13AM0.74m | 4:07PM0.70m | 4:11AM0.83m | 5:08PM0.72m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  |  |  | | |  | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | 4 | — | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 7 | 3 |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SSW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 164 | 164 | 367 | 383 | 304 | 103 | 85 | 187 | 309 | 301 | 248 | 250 | 49 | 61 | 47 | 43 | 38 | 138 | 198 | 143 | 898 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 7 | SW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 203 | 195 | 44 | 59 | 197 | 260 | 208 | 361 | 184 | 132 | 137 | 63 | 171 | 103 | 92 | 73 | 29 | 52 | 108 | 68 | 88 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | NW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | S 7 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 24 | SW 24 | S 7 |
| kJ | 20 | 130 | 94 | 122 | 8 | 194 | 314 | 44 | 42 | 28 | 36 | 99 | 62 | 62 | 39 | 35 | 57 | 80 | 444 | 271 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 6 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 22 | — | — | 57 | — | — | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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