Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it.

Overall, this stretch from the 3rd of September through the 18th has a bit of everything. There’s a solid pulse of south-west groundswell moving through, and plenty of mornings with light or glassy conditions. The main story here is a very clean, mid-range swell window that really lights up a few sessions, especially for those who can handle a little size.

We kick off on Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning at Playa Santa Teresa (Costa Rica) is a mixed bag. There’s a clean 3 ft south-west swell with a long 16 second period, and light cross-offshore wind from the ESE. The combined wave energy is moderate at 446, and the water temp feels about average for this time of year. It’s not huge, but it’s rideable and clean. The afternoon turns onshore and messy, so the morning is your window.

Now, Friday the 4th of September is where it starts to get exciting. The morning is clear with a glassy easterly breeze, and the swell jumps to 5 ft from the south-west with a 17 second period. The combined energy hits a strong 1291. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The wave quality will be there, with proper groundswell lines. This is a standout session. The afternoon gets onshore again and the waves push to 5 ft, but the wind kills it.

Saturday the 5th of September is the absolute pick of the entire run. We’ve got a risk of thunderstorms, but the wind is calm, glassy, and there’s a solid 5 ft south-west swell at 16 seconds. The energy is strong at 1369. This is a morning for the experienced crew only. The waves will have power, and with zero wind, it’ll be as clean as it gets. This is your best chance for a proper session.

Sunday the 6th of September still has good morning conditions. A 5 ft south-west swell with a 14 second period and glassy SSW wind. The energy drops to 889, but it’s still very good and clean. The afternoons continue to be a write-off with onshore wind.

Moving into the second week, the pattern holds. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th of September offer smaller, cleaner mornings in the 4 ft to 3 ft range, with glassy conditions. Wednesday the 9th is a standout morning again with 3 ft swell at 16 seconds and a dead calm, glassy start. Energy is moderate at 573, but the conditions will be perfect for a longboard or a fun mid-length.

Thursday the 10th of September morning brings another excellent window. 4 ft south-west swell at 17 seconds, glassy ENE wind, and energy at 1015. This is strong and clean, another one for the experienced surfer.

From the 11th through to the 18th, the swell hangs around in the 3 ft to 4 ft range, but the period stays long. Mornings with glassy or cross-offshore wind keep things clean. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th have good morning options. Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are smaller but still glassy. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th follow the same pattern. A notable one is Thursday the 17th of September morning – a 2 ft swell but with a very long 24 second period, and cross-shore wind. Energy is 910, but that long period will make it weird at the beach break; it’s a tricky one.

Then, finally, Friday the 18th of September morning wraps it up nicely with a 3 ft south-west swell at 21 seconds, glassy wind, and very good conditions. A clean end to the run.

Overall, if you’re after the best, aim for Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of September mornings. Those are the two standouts. The rest of the mornings are solid and rideable, but those two are special.

Rusty.

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