
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with 1,045 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 1.6m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the menu for Playa Santa Teresa over the next couple of weeks.
The first bit of real hope comes in on Sunday morning, the 6th of September. We’ve got a solid SW groundswell running, with a very long period of 14 seconds, pushing in at about 4ft. But the real story is the wind – it’s glassy, dead calm. That’s a major positive. The water is sitting at 86°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The swell energy is moderate (773). It’s a consistent spot, so expect some clean, fun lines. The standout for the whole period? This is it. Sunday morning at Playa Santa Teresa is your best bet.
Monday the 7th clouds over, with a light cross-onshore wind and dropping swell. Not the day. Tuesday morning the 8th brings a tiny, 2ft, very long-period (18 seconds) SW groundswell, but with glassy conditions again. The wave energy is moderate (512). It’s small, but clean. Wednesday morning the 9th is another glassy morning, 3ft SW swell at 16 seconds. Good for a log or a longboard.
Thursday the 10th morning is a beauty. We get a clean 4ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the NE. The combined energy is strong (994). That’s a proper session. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.
Friday the 11th morning is clear with a light cross-offshore breeze, holding 4ft SW swell at 16 seconds. Another solid, clean option. After that, the swell slowly fades through the weekend. Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th mornings offer clean but smaller waves, around 2ft to 3ft, with light offshores or cross-offshores. Good for a cruise.
There’s a quiet spell mid-week, but things pick back up. Wednesday the 16th morning looks promising again: a clean 3ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period and a light offshore breeze from the ENE. The combined energy is moderate (506). Thursday the 17th morning is similar but a bit more wind. The 19th of September Saturday morning brings a glassy, 2ft very long-period (20 seconds) SW groundswell. It’s tiny, but with no wind, it’s worth a paddle.
The last day, Sunday the 20th, is a bit of a write-off with a moderate cross-onshore wind and a messy, short-period swell.
So, the long and short of it: Sunday the 6th morning is the standout. The glassy conditions on that long-period SW groundswell will be something special. Thursday the 10th morning is the next best call, with a bigger, clean swell and offshore wind. The rest of the week has plenty of clean, smaller windows for the patient surfer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
868 | 746 | 667 | 514 | 422 | 352 | 249 | 249 | 227 | 302 | 371 | 322 | 871 | 974 | 728 | 719 | 701 | 485 | 398 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | off | on | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:37AM2.25m | 10:28PM2.03m | 10:55AM2.25m | 11:44PM2.15m | 12:07PM2.32m | 00:49AM2.32m | 1:09PM2.43m | 1:43AM2.50m | 2:02PM2.53m | 2:30AM2.65m | 2:49PM2.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:14AM0.67m | 4:12PM0.57m | 4:35AM0.68m | 5:26PM0.51m | 5:52AM0.60m | 6:31PM0.40m | 6:57AM0.46m | 7:26PM0.28m | 7:53AM0.32m | 8:14PM0.18m | 8:42AM0.20m | 8:58PM0.12m | |||||||
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | |
mm | 15 | — | 1 | 30 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | 6 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
868 | 746 | 667 | 514 | 139 | 422 | 157 | 249 | 202 | 302 | 371 | 215 | 871 | 974 | 728 | 719 | 701 | 485 | 398 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 6 |
32 | 34 | 111 | 113 | 422 | 352 | 249 | 34 | 227 | 112 | 94 | 322 | 61 | 50 | 46 | 47 | 75 | 88 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSE 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | WSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
14 | 17 | 22 | 19 | 96 | 23 | 157 | 246 | 18 | 37 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 9 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 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.










