
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s 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 (Jul 23) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m 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 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up for Playa Santa Teresa.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the second half of the week and into the next one is where the magic’s at. The first couple of days (Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd) are pretty much a write-off—small, messy, and with thunderstorms hanging around. Don’t bother paddling out until Friday morning.
Friday morning, July 24th is when things start to get interesting. The swell is still tiny at 2ft, but it’s a long-period 24-second groundswell from the SW, and the wind is light cross-offshore from the NNW. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 86°, which is nice. The wave energy is moderate (697). It’s clean, but the wave heights are small, so it’s more of a longboard morning.
Saturday morning, July 25th is a real standout. Glassy conditions with zero wind, 3ft of SW swell at 21 seconds, and the energy is ramping up to 628. It’s going to be clean as a whistle. The long period means the waves will have some shape and power, perfect for Playa Santa Teresa’s exposed beach break. It’s a solid morning for a session.
Sunday morning, July 26th keeps the good run going. 4ft of SW swell, 19-second period, and glassy conditions with a light NE breeze. The combined energy is strong at 826. This is a great wave for experienced surfers, but the size is still manageable for confident intermediates.
Monday morning, July 27th is the absolute best on offer. 3ft of SW swell, 19-second period, glassy, and the energy is pumping at 1174. The forecast says excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. The crowd factor is “sometimes” at Playa Santa Teresa, so expect a few others out, but the quality will be worth it.
Tuesday morning, July 28th is another top-tier session. 5ft of SW swell at 17 seconds, glassy, and the energy is roaring at 1404. This is getting into the territory where it’s a bit much for beginners, but for anyone with some experience, it’s a classic. The swell direction (SW) matches the optimum for this break (WNW) closely enough to get good lines.
Wednesday morning, July 29th stays excellent with 5ft of SW swell, 16 seconds, and glassy conditions. Energy is still very strong at 1104. This is solid, powerful surf.
From Thursday, July 30th onward, the swell starts to back off a little, but there are still some clean mornings. Thursday morning is glassy with 4ft of SW swell, and Friday morning (July 31st) has clean cross-offshore winds with 3ft of swell. The first few days of August look small but glassy—good for a longboard, but nothing to write home about.
In short: The best paddles are the mornings of Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. That’s when the swell, wind, and energy all align. If you can only pick one, go for Tuesday morning—it’s the biggest, cleanest, and most powerful of the whole run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 26 | WSW 8 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
130 | 92 | 92 | 178 | 169 | 444 | 271 | 898 | 543 | 563 | 1100 | 791 | 996 | 962 | 621 | 920 | 1327 | 1199 | 1519 | 1225 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:11PM1.96m | 9:34AM2.17m | 10:12PM1.86m | 10:32AM2.10m | 11:16PM1.83m | 11:31AM2.08m | 00:18AM1.86m | 12:28PM2.12m | 1:12AM1.93m | 1:19PM2.19m | 1:59AM2.03m | 2:05PM2.27m | 2:41AM2.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:08PM0.64m | 3:13AM0.74m | 4:07PM0.70m | 4:11AM0.83m | 5:08PM0.72m | 5:13AM0.86m | 6:07PM0.69m | 6:12AM0.84m | 7:01PM0.62m | 7:06AM0.77m | 7:47PM0.53m | 7:54AM0.70m | 8:29PM0.44m | |||||||
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | |
6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | 5 | 8 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 11 | — | 4 | 9 | — | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
119 | 31 | 40 | 121 | 169 | 199 | 113 | 129 | 85 | 563 | 1100 | 791 | 996 | 962 | 553 | 920 | 1327 | 1199 | 1519 | 1225 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | S 7 | SW 24 | S 7 | SW 21 | SW 21 | WSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 19 | SW 14 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 11 |
130 | 92 | 92 | 79 | 79 | 444 | 52 | 898 | 543 | 67 | 42 | 44 | 98 | 92 | 621 | 293 | 41 | 205 | 38 | 85 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 26 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 24 | S 12 | S 8 | S 8 | WSW 7 | SSW 10 | WSW 7 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSW 11 | W 12 |
25 | 39 | 34 | 171 | 45 | 54 | 271 | 67 | 42 | 43 | 31 | 35 | 17 | 18 | 66 | 67 | 28 | 39 | 25 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 178 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 56 | 0 | 36 | 56 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 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.










