
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 576 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cookin' for Playa Santa Teresa over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water is a touch warmer than normal at 87°, sitting a couple of degrees above what we’d usually feel this time of year – nice for those long sessions without a wetsuit.
We're looking at a pretty consistent run of surf coming through. The pattern is a steady pulse of SSW groundswell, mainly in the 3 ft to 3 ft range, and the wave energy is moderate to strong (413) to kick things off. Now, our standout window is the morning of Thursday, July 11th. That Saturday mornin' is looking like the pick of the whole run. We've got a clean 3 ft SSW swell with a nice long 16-second period pushing in, and the combined energy is ramping up nicely (682). The wind is light and cross-off from the ESE, which is gonna groom those lines up real good. That's the session to circle on the calendar.
If you miss that, don't stress. The following week has some solid early morns too. Thursday the 16th is looking promising with a 3 ft SSW swell, a 16-second period, and light offshore breezes from the NE making for clean conditions. And look out for Tuesday, July 21st – that morning is showing a bigger push of 4 ft from the SW, with 16-second period groundswell and very strong energy (944). Wind is light and offshore from the NE, so it could be a ripper, though it's further out so keep an eye on it. Later in the run, Wednesday the 22nd morning also has that same 4 ft SW swell and clean offshore wind.
Be aware, afternoons around here are pretty sketchy with the onshore breezes and risk of thunderstorms, so the mornings are definitely where it's at. For the most part, the swell is manageable for intermediates, and nothing gets over 5 ft, so beginners will have plenty of fun options too. The long-period groundswells (over 15 seconds) we see on the 16th and 21st will be offering up some proper energy and shape, though at a beach break like this they might wall up a bit. The consistent nature of the surf here is a good sign – it doesn't stay flat for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
409 | 425 | 348 | 279 | 279 | 358 | 519 | 519 | 437 | 400 | 233 | 236 | 225 | 229 | 83 | 371 | 269 | 181 | 246 | 178 | 322 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | glassy | off | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:13AM2.37m | 9:47PM2.01m | 10:15AM2.40m | 10:56PM2.04m | 11:20AM2.45m | 00:04AM2.12m | 12:25PM2.53m | 1:08AM2.26m | 1:26PM2.63m | 2:08AM2.41m | 2:24PM2.71m | 3:03AM2.56m | 3:18PM2.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:44PM0.57m | 3:48AM0.62m | 4:49PM0.50m | 4:55AM0.58m | 5:55PM0.39m | 6:03AM0.51m | 6:56PM0.27m | 7:08AM0.41m | 7:54PM0.13m | 8:09AM0.30m | 8:48PM0.03m | 9:06AM0.21m | 9:38PM-0.04m | ||||||||
5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 24 | — | 6 | 10 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 |
409 | 425 | 348 | 279 | 279 | 358 | 161 | 118 | 437 | 400 | 233 | 236 | 225 | 229 | 159 | 371 | 269 | 181 | 246 | 113 | 322 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 16 | SSW 12 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 |
111 | 111 | 89 | 104 | 91 | 106 | 519 | 519 | 73 | 36 | 36 | 35 | 37 | 186 | 83 | 17 | 87 | 88 | 82 | 179 | 139 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | S 21 | S 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | W 13 | NW 8 | S 21 | SW 22 | SW 6 | SW 12 | W 6 | S 16 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 |
4 | 9 | 31 | 75 | 182 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 68 | 28 | 134 | 30 | 27 | 15 | 111 | 154 | 54 | 178 | 61 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 88 | — | — | — | — | 24 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 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.










