Playa Santa Teresa Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.63° N 85.16° W

Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Santa Teresa sea temperature is
30.5° 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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,215 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m 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 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 21st Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 29th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 29th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, looking at the next couple of weeks for Playa Santa Teresa. Winter’s holding on with a solid run of consistent, clean SW groundswell, but it’s a game of two halves. The first few days are a bit of a write-off—small, choppy, and cross-onshore, so you’re not missing much. But from Sunday the 23rd onwards, the pattern shifts into something much more promising, with a string of mornings delivering glassy conditions and good, long-period energy. The standout window is the weekend of the 29th and 30th August, and then again on the 4th and 5th September, though that second week is a bit less certain.

Right now, Friday the 21st is a dud. The sea is a mess with a 4ft SSW swell and 15 km/h cross-onshore wind, and the water is a very warm 87°, which is 4° above normal—noticeably warmer than usual for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (480), but it’s just poor out there.

Saturday the 22nd, early morning you’ll see tiny 2ft SW swell, but it’s glassy with a light N wind and a risk of thunderstorms. The wave energy is weak (98), so it’s only really surfable if you’re desperate and on a longboard. The afternoon turns onshore again.

Sunday the 23rd is where it starts to get interesting. The morning is clean with a light ENE cross-offshore breeze and a small 2ft SW groundswell, but the period is a very long 19 seconds. The energy is moderate (304), and the comment says to expect good surf. That long period means the waves will have shape, but at a beach break like this, that long gap between sets can make it feel a bit inconsistent. Still, it’s a proper glassy morning.

Monday the 24th morning is similar—clean with a light E cross-offshore, 2ft SW, and a long period of 18 seconds (271 energy). Good, but small. The afternoon turns cross-onshore and marginal.

Tuesday the 25th morning is a standout for the early part of the week. Glassy conditions with a NE wind, 2ft SW, and a 16-second period (248 energy). It’s clean and fun, but you’ll want a bigger board.

Wednesday the 26th, the morning is dead calm, glassy, with a tiny 2ft SW swell. The energy is weak (122). The afternoon brings a 4ft SSW short-period swell (7 seconds) and onshore wind—total mess.

Thursday the 27th morning, glassy again with a NE wind, 2ft SW, and 18-second period (264 energy). Clean but small.

Now, Friday the 28th morning is a real highlight. Glassy, no wind, and a 3ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period. The combined energy jumps to strong (904), and the forecast says expect very good surf. That’s a proper groundswell pulse—waves will be well-shaped, with long lulls between sets. The afternoon gets ruined by a 20 km/h cross-onshore breeze.

Saturday the 29th, this is the best day on offer. The morning is clean with a light E cross-offshore breeze, a 5ft SW swell, and a 16-second period. The energy is very strong (1163), and the forecast says excellent for experienced surfers. That’s 5ft, so it’s getting solid—okay for confident intermediates, but the power is real. The afternoon goes marginal with a cross-onshore wind.

Sunday the 30th morning is another cracker. Glassy, with a SSE wind, 5ft SW, and 14-second period (926 energy). Expect very good surf. The afternoon turns onshore again.

Monday the 31st is a write-off, onshore wind and poor.

Tuesday the 1st of September and Wednesday the 2nd are marginal. The morning of the 2nd is glassy with a 2ft SW swell and a 17-second period (461 energy)—good for a small clean wave.

Thursday the 3rd morning is glassy, 3ft SW, 15-second period (456 energy). Expect good surf.

Friday the 4th morning is a standout for the second week. Clean with a light NNW cross-offshore breeze, 4ft SW swell, and a 17-second period. The energy is strong (1002), and the forecast says excellent for experienced surfers. The swell direction is SSW, which is a touch off the optimum WNW, but the quality is there. The afternoon turns onshore.

Saturday the 5th morning, glassy with an E wind, 4ft SW, 16-second period (743 energy). Expect very good surf. The afternoon is also glassy—a rare double-glass day.

For the best of the best, I’d be circling Saturday the 29th August morning for the biggest, cleanest groundswell, and Friday the 4th September morning as a solid second option. Playa Santa Teresa is a consistent, exposed beach break, and the crowds are sometimes an issue, but that’s the price of a good wave. The water is running much warmer than normal, so you’ll be in a rashie, not a steamer.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 27°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
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
1
0
2
2
0
2
2
1
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
11
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.4
SW
20
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
1.3
SSW
7
0.4
SW
15
0.5
SW
18
1.3
SSW
7
0.7
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
430
129
95
136
118
184
206
260
199
241
322
211
125
191
110
145
75
150
142
233
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
5
NNW
5
N
15
SSW
5
NE
10
ENE
15
S
0
NNW
5
E
10
S
5
N
5
NE
10
SW
5
N
0
NNW
15
WSW
15
ENE
5
NE
10
W
5
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
9:25PM1.81m
9:47AM2.00m
10:36PM1.77m
10:55AM1.98m
11:47PM1.81m
12:00PM2.03m
00:46AM1.91m
12:54PM2.12m
1:33AM2.06m
1:41PM2.23m
2:13AM2.21m
2:22PM2.33m
2:50AM2.36m
Low Tide
3:18PM0.75m
3:25AM0.89m
4:25PM0.80m
4:35AM0.93m
5:33PM0.77m
5:44AM0.90m
6:31PM0.69m
6:43AM0.82m
7:19PM0.59m
7:32AM0.71m
7:59PM0.48m
8:15AM0.58m
8:36PM0.39m
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thunderstorm
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<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>
5:54
5:54
5:53
5:53
5:52
5:52
5:52
 mm
1
3
1
3
5
4
13
1
2
5
1
5
7
5
4
12
1
6
13
Temp °C
30
29
30
30
28
30
29
28
29
29
28
29
29
28
28
29
26
27
28
26
Feels °C
34
35
33
33
31
33
32
32
33
32
32
34
32
32
33
32
29
32
32
30
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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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