
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with 465 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s 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 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, looking at what's cookin' for Playa Santa Teresa over the next couple weeks.
We've got a pretty consistent run of surf on the cards, but nothing is going to absolutely fry your brain for most of it. The water's sitting at 87°F which is a touch warmer than normal, so you won't be needing that steamer.
The first solid call is Wednesday morning, July 15th. We're looking at a clean 3ft swell from the SSW with a nice 13-second period pushing in. Combine that with a light offshore breeze from the NE, and you've got yourself a fun little session. The energy is moderate (303).
Thursday morning, July 16th is a carbon copy – 3ft SSW, 13-second period, light offshore NE wind again. It'll be clean and fun. Energy is moderate (352).
Friday morning, July 17th keeps the same vibe: 3ft SSW with a 12-second period, light offshore wind. Clean conditions are locked in with moderate energy (403).
Things get glassy on Saturday morning, July 18th. The swell drops a touch to 3ft from the SSW, but a glassy NNE breeze and moderate energy (164) will make for some smooth, if not overly exciting, waves.
Sunday morning, July 19th is tiny. Swell is only 1ft from the SW, but with a very long 19-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is weak (122). More of a longboard glide than anything punchy.
Now, here's where we get a nice little pulse. Monday morning, July 20th – the swell jumps to 2ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, but the combined energy is very strong (512). With a light offshore NNE breeze, the conditions will be excellent.
Tuesday, July 21st has a solid morning session with 3ft SW swell, 15-second period, and a light offshore wind. Then Tuesday afternoon, the wind goes glassy – zero knots from the west. That 3ft SW swell at 14 seconds will be absolutely clean for the late session. Good energy (310).
Wednesday morning, July 22nd serves up another clean one: 3ft SSW at 11 seconds, light offshore NE wind, and moderate energy (394).
Thursday morning, July 23rd is a bit of a mixed bag with a messy period. The 3ft SSW swell is only 7 seconds, so the energy is weak (132). It's surfable but ordinary.
Now, the standout window. Friday morning, July 24th is a stunner. We have 2ft of SW swell but with a *very* long 24-second period, and the energy is through the roof (567). With a light cross-offshore NNE breeze, it's excellent and clean. These long period swells will really wrap into the point.
Then we hit the jackpot. Saturday morning, July 25th – a massive 3ft SW swell with a 21-second period and energy is pumping at 878. Offshore ENE breeze. This is a very, very good session for experienced surfers. The long period means it'll be walled-up, steep, and powerful.
Sunday morning, July 26th keeps the dream alive: 3ft SW with a 19-second period and energy at 853. Light cross-offshore ESE wind. Another excellent morning for the experienced crew.
Monday morning, July 27th – glassy conditions (N wind at 5 mph) with a solid 4ft SW swell, 17-second period, and energy at 951. This is getting to the big end of town.
Finally, the real highlight. Tuesday morning, July 28th – this is the one to circle. We get glassy conditions (E wind at 5 mph), a 4ft SW swell with a powerful 17-second period, and the combined energy is absolutely thumping (1309). This is excellent surf, but at 4ft with that kind of power, it's firmly in expert territory. The sets will be lined up and moving fast. The crowd profile says it can get busy here, so expect some company for these crackers.
Wednesday morning, July 29th is another glassy morning with 4ft SW swell and 16-second period. Energy is strong (773). More world-class conditions.
The run finally starts to wind down with more onshore wind from Thursday, July 30th, bringing a cross-chop to the 4ft SSW swell. Still surfable, but not the perfection of the previous week.
Overall, the best bet for clean, powerful waves is Saturday, July 25th through to Wednesday, July 29th, with the absolute standout being Tuesday morning, July 28th for those who can handle it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
246 | 196 | 163 | 261 | 396 | 163 | 271 | 372 | 331 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 122 | 197 | 194 | 257 | 306 | 309 | 301 | 248 | 250 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 3:18PM2.75m | 3:55AM2.67m | 4:09PM2.74m | 4:44AM2.73m | 4:59PM2.68m | 5:32AM2.73m | 5:48PM2.57m | 6:19AM2.67m | 6:36PM2.42m | 7:05AM2.56m | 7:25PM2.26m | 7:52AM2.43m | 8:16PM2.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:06AM0.21m | 9:38PM-0.04m | 10:00AM0.17m | 10:27PM-0.04m | 10:52AM0.18m | 11:14PM0.01m | 11:43AM0.23m | 00:00AM0.13m | 12:33PM0.32m | 00:46AM0.28m | 1:23PM0.43m | 1:32AM0.45m | 2:14PM0.54m | 2:20AM0.61m | |||||||
5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 15 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 |
246 | 113 | 113 | 261 | 396 | 161 | 271 | 372 | 331 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 383 | 304 | 319 | 208 | 68 | 73 | 301 | 62 | 54 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 16 | S 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 16 | S 12 | SW 15 | SSW 7 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
54 | 196 | 159 | 91 | 41 | 163 | 75 | 54 | 22 | 203 | 195 | 22 | 30 | 41 | 40 | 257 | 187 | 309 | 59 | 248 | 250 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 16 | SW 16 | S 8 | SW 21 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 16 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 7 | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
16 | 174 | 163 | 11 | 17 | 75 | 57 | 62 | 81 | 19 | 19 | 94 | 122 | 197 | 194 | 47 | 306 | 184 | 134 | 132 | 91 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










