Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead for Playa Santa Teresa. The mix of consistent, clean mornings and a building swell window means there’s plenty to get excited about, especially if you’re after that classic Costa Rican beach-break feel. The water is sitting at a balmy 87°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be in for a warm session.

The first real standout kicks off right away. Monday 3rd August morning – Playa Santa Teresa is showing a clean 3 ft SW groundswell with a nice long period of 13 seconds. The wind is glass – dead calm – and the combined energy of all swells directed here is a solid 272 (moderate). It’s going to be glassy, fun, and one of the best windows early on. The afternoon shifts to a light onshore breeze, so grab the early session.

Tuesday 4th August morning is another winner – 3 ft of SSW swell with a 9-second period, clean glassy conditions, and moderate energy at 235. The swell direction matches the optimum WNW direction nicely, so the waves should be well-shaped. The afternoon again gets a bit onshore, so keep it to the morning.

Wednesday 5th August morning drops a little – 1 ft SW groundswell, period of 15 seconds, glassy winds, but the energy is weak at 104. It’s surfable, but you’ll be searching for the good ones. A bit of a lull day.

Thursday 6th August is a write-off. The morning has a 12 mph cross-onshore wind from the south, making things choppy and messy. The afternoon isn’t much better. Sit this one out.

Friday 7th August morning – now we’re talking. A 2 ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. Combined energy jumps to 378 (moderate), and the wind is glassy from the north. The waves will be clean, but that long period can make beach breaks a bit straight – still, it’s a quality morning session. The afternoon turns onshore and stormy, so be ready to get out early.

Saturday 8th August morning is another beauty – 3 ft SSW groundswell, 16 seconds period, dead calm, and energy at 463 (moderate). That’s a standout morning. The swell direction is a little off the optimum, but the glassy conditions make up for it.

Sunday 9th August morning – 3 ft SSW groundswell, 14 seconds period, light offshore breeze from the north-northeast, and energy at 369. Clean and fun. The afternoon has a light onshore breeze, but it’s still surfable.

Monday 10th August morning – 2 ft SW groundswell, 13 seconds, glassy, energy at 287. Another good morning window.

Tuesday 11th August morning – 2 ft SW groundswell, 14 seconds, dead calm, energy at 284. Classic glassy morning.

Wednesday 12th August morning – 2 ft SW groundswell, 16 seconds, light offshore from the northeast, energy at 376. Clean and well-shaped.

Thursday 13th August morning – 2 ft SW groundswell, 15 seconds, light offshore from the east-northeast, energy at 209. Still a solid morning.

Now, the true standout of the whole forecast. Friday 14th August morning – 3 ft SW groundswell, a massive 19 seconds period, light offshore wind from the north-northeast, and combined energy hitting 655 (moderate to strong). This is the best on offer. The long period will bring proper power and shape, and the offshore wind will keep it clean. The crowd profile at Playa Santa Teresa is listed as “sometimes,” so it might get a few heads, but with that quality, it’s worth it.

Saturday 15th August morning – 4 ft SW groundswell, 16 seconds, light offshore from the east-northeast, and energy at 755 (strong). This is a bigger, punchier session. The swell is over 3 ft, so it’s still fine for intermediates, but beginners might want to be careful. The morning is the window – the afternoon turns onshore.

Sunday 16th August morning – 4 ft SW groundswell, 15 seconds, glassy, energy at 485. Another strong morning.

The run then continues with smaller, clean mornings through Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th August, with the Tuesday morning showing a 2 ft SW groundswell, light cross-offshore breeze, and clean conditions.

Overall, the mornings are the story here. The afternoons nearly all get an onshore wind, so be a dawn patrol warrior. The best two sessions are Friday 14th August morning with that 19-second groundswell and offshore wind, and Saturday 15th August morning for the punchier 4 ft swell. Get amongst it.

Rusty.

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