Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,431 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Teresa in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
We're looking at a pretty solid run of surf coming up for Playa Santa Teresa. The water's sitting at 87° right now, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year—the ocean's got that bath-water feel to it.
We kick things off on Monday afternoon, but honestly it's a write-off with a risk of thunderstorms and onshore wind making a mess of things at 4ft from the SW.
Tuesday morning sees a bit of clean-up with a cross-off breeze from the ESE, but the swell's dropped back to 3ft—still, it's surfable and the conditions look better. The afternoon goes onshore again though.
Now, Wednesday morning is where it gets interesting. There's only 2ft on offer from the SW, but that's a 18-second period groundswell, and the combined energy is pumping at 535—decent power for a small wave. The wind is light cross-shore, so it'll be a bit bumpy but rideable. Then Thursday morning is a beauty: glassy conditions with zero wind, 3ft SW swell with a 16-second period. Clean as a whistle.
But the main event—the standout—is Friday morning. We've got 5ft of SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and the combined swell energy is absolutely cooking at 1216. It's glassy conditions with ENE light airs. That's one for the experienced crew; anything over 5ft is getting solid, and this is borderline for beginners. The sets will have some punch and the longer gaps between them make the paddle out easier. It's going to be a proper session if you've got the skills.
Saturday morning holds similar quality: 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, glassy with NE wind, and energy up at 1345. Another expert session.
Sunday and Monday mornings keep the run going with clean glassy conditions and 4ft to 4ft SW swell. The consistency is there, and you can bank on good waves through to at least the middle of next week.
Around the 8th and 9th, things drop back a bit with 3ft swell, but it stays clean with offshore and cross-off winds. By the 12th and 13th we're down to 2ft to 3ft—still rideable but smaller. There's another pulse of long-period groundswell on the 14th and 15th, but the size stays small. If you're chasing the best of this window, get out Friday through Sunday mornings.
Signing off—Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 386 | 331 | 256 | 220 | 216 | 246 | 326 | 257 | 302 | 499 | 881 | 1174 | 1267 | 1210 | 1317 | 1284 | 868 | 676 | 667 | 514 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:51PM2.45m | 5:10AM2.65m | 5:30PM2.40m | 5:49AM2.62m | 6:13PM2.31m | 6:33AM2.54m | 7:01PM2.20m | 7:24AM2.43m | 7:58PM2.09m | 8:25AM2.32m | 9:08PM2.02m | 9:37AM2.25m | 10:28PM2.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:54PM0.26m | 11:25AM0.25m | 11:33PM0.30m | 12:08PM0.29m | 00:15AM0.38m | 12:55PM0.37m | 1:03AM0.48m | 1:51PM0.46m | 2:02AM0.59m | 2:57PM0.54m | 3:14AM0.67m | 4:12PM0.57m | ||||||||
 |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | 6 | 7 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | 2 | 8 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 386 | 331 | 256 | 220 | 66 | 48 | 196 | 149 | 302 | 499 | 881 | 1174 | 1267 | 1210 | 1317 | 1284 | 868 | 676 | 667 | 514 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 7 | S 8 | SSW 11 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 12 | 33 | 43 | 51 | 216 | 241 | 326 | 257 | 144 | 125 | 35 | 43 | 138 | 37 | 28 | 27 | 43 | 39 | 41 | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 11 | W 8 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 21 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 14 | 84 | 113 | 112 | 246 | 37 | 44 | 32 | 176 | 40 | 42 | 13 | 39 | 39 | 18 | 26 | 12 | 12 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 51 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 107 | 2 | 0 | 153 | 0 | 36 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 12 | 0 | 56 | 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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