Playa Santa Teresa Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.63° N 85.16° W

Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Santa Teresa sea temperature is
30.4°C
2.2° 

Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 25th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 29th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look what’s on offer at Playa Santa Teresa over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the water is sitting at a balmy 87°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s well above average, so you’ll be surfing in bathwater. The swell energy is pretty weak to start with, coming in at 297, but we’ve got a long-period groundswell from the SW at 17 seconds. That’s a classic point break pulse, but it’s only 2 ft with onshore wind, so Monday afternoon is a write-off – poor surf.

Tuesday morning the 25th is where it starts to get interesting. A clean 2 ft SW swell with 16-second period, light offshore NE breeze at 6 mph, and the energy is moderate at 248. It’s small but tidy, good for a beginner log. The wind turns ugly by the afternoon with a risk of thunderstorms and cross-onshore S wind, so only get out early.

Wednesday 26th is a glassy morning – 2 ft SW swell, 15-second period, and dead calm NE wind. The waves are ordinary, barely surfable, but it’s clean. Afternoon goes south with a cross-onshore WSW breeze.

Thursday 27th morning is a gamble – 2 ft SW swell, 18-second period (very long), but onshore SSW wind and a risk t-storm. The energy is weak at 204, and conditions are marginal. Not worth rushing for.

Friday 28th morning is a real standout. We’ve got 3 ft SW swell with a 19-second period – that groundswell has some serious push, and the combined energy jumps to 701 (moderate). The wind is cross-off from the north at 3 mph, so the wave face will be clean. This is the start of a good run. Friday afternoon goes glassy with 2 ft and 20-second period – long lulls between sets but clean as a whistle.

Saturday 29th morning is the pick of the first week. 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and dead calm glassy conditions with 0 wind. The energy is strong at 1038. That’s excellent for experienced surfers – clean, punchy, and well-shaped. Crowds are possible at Santa Teresa as it’s a consistent spot, so get out early. Saturday afternoon sees the swell nudge up to 5 ft but with onshore WSW wind, making it marginal.

Sunday 30th morning is still pumping – 5 ft SW swell, 14-second period, cross-off ENE breeze at 6 mph, and energy at 858 (moderate). Clean and very good. The afternoon gets messy with a southerly cross-on breeze.

Monday 31st morning is glassy again with 4 ft SW swell, 13-second period, and 0 wind. Good stuff. Afternoon goes onshore and marginal.

Tuesday 1st September morning offers 3 ft glassy conditions with a 12-second SW swell – nice for a slow morning session. The afternoon turns to rubbish with WSW wind.

There’s a slump midweek – Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd mornings have small SW swell (2–3 ft) but with cross-on or onshore winds and moderate energy (440–564). Not great, but Thursday 3rd morning is glassy with an E wind, so if you’re desperate, it’s clean but small.

Friday 4th September morning is a second standout. 4 ft SW swell, 18-second period, dead calm, and energy rocketing to 1225 (strong). That’s excellent for experienced surfers – powerful, clean groundswell. The wind is zero. This is the best of the second week. Saturday 5th September morning continues the run with 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, glassy ENE breeze, and energy at 1096 (strong). Another excellent morning for experienced crew. Sunday 6th September morning is still very good – 4 ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy, with 599 energy.

Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th September mornings both have glassy conditions with 3–4 ft SW swell and moderate to strong energy (631–698). Clean and very good.

The biggest standout is Saturday 29th August morning – glassy, 5 ft, strong energy, perfect for experienced surfers. Friday 4th September morning is the second highlight, with 4 ft and even stronger energy. Both are clean groundswell pulses.

If you’re a beginner, the best windows are Tuesday 25th August morning and Monday 1st September morning – small, clean, offshore or glassy. Anything over 5 ft is too big for beginners, so Saturday 5th September morning is for the experienced.

Crowds are possible at Playa Santa Teresa, and it’s a consistent, exposed beach break drawing mainly W to WNW swell, which matches the guidance optimum of WNW, so the direction is on point.

The gap between Tuesday 1st September and Friday 4th September has some marginal days, but nothing worth highlighting – just a couple of days with sub-par conditions.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
2
3
2
3
4
3
3
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
19
0.6
SW
20
1.1
SW
18
1.4
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
241
322
211
125
191
110
77
75
150
81
236
531
239
777
1029
1109
1001
833
726
549
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
NW
5
NE
10
S
10
E
5
NE
15
WSW
5
W
5
SSW
10
WSW
10
NE
5
N
5
W
10
NE
0
NNE
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
ENE
5
S
0
NW
Wind State
on
cross
off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
off
cross-off
glassy
off
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
00:46AM1.91m
12:54PM2.12m
1:33AM2.06m
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
Low Tide
6:31PM0.69m
6:43AM0.82m
7:19PM0.59m
7:32AM0.71m
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
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:51
5:51
5:50
 mm
1
2
10
4
5
19
4
1
2
1
3
5
Temp °C
30
28
30
29
27
29
29
28
28
28
27
28
29
28
29
29
28
29
29
27
Feels °C
33
32
33
32
31
32
32
32
33
31
31
32
33
33
31
31
31
32
33
33
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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