Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your boards. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Playa Santa Teresa for the next couple of weeks. This is a classic case of a spot that needs the mornings, because the afternoons are going to get chopped up by the sea breeze almost every single day.

The overall pattern is a slow, steady run of south-west groundswell. It’s not epic, but it’s consistent. The water temp is running about average for this time of year, so a springy shorty or a good summer suit is all you’ll need.

The first few days, from Saturday the 8th through to about Thursday the 13th, are all about small, clean, morning sessions. We’re looking at waist to chest-high waves, around 2 to 3 feet. The swell energy is moderate, (461 down to 137), and the periods are in that sweet spot for shape. The wind is the key: it’s off or glassy in the mornings, making the place look like a mirror. But the afternoons are a write-off. The SW wind picks up and turns it into a bumpy mess. If you can get out there for the dawn patrol, you’ll be rewarded. The morning of Tuesday the 11th is looking glassy with a touch more energy (387).

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the morning of Friday the 14th. The ocean switches on. We’ve got a solid 3.5 feet of SW swell, but the period jumps to 18 seconds. That’s a proper, long-period groundswell, and the energy readings are strong (710). The wind is forecast to be calm, totally glassy. This is going to be the cleanest, most lined-up day of the whole stretch. Playa Santa Teresa is exposed to the SW, and this is exactly what it wants. It won’t be huge, but it will be perfect.

Then, get this, the next morning, Saturday the 15th, is the biggest call of the window. The swell pushes up to 4.5 feet, still from the SW, with a 16-second period. The energy is strong (1004). This is the most powerful swell we’ll see. The morning wind is light offshore, so it’s going to be heavy and clean. This is one for the experienced crew. At 4.5 feet, it’s pushing limits for beginners, and the power will be real. This is the pick of the trip if you’ve got the skills.

The following week settles down a bit. It’s still fun, but the size drops back to the 3-foot range. The morning windows on the 17th, 18th, and 19th all have clean conditions with light winds. There’s another nice pocket on the morning of Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th, with some cross-off winds and good energy (559 and 503), keeping the waves clean and playful. The 21st and 22nd still have small, clean mornings, but the energy is fading (237, 175). It’s not over, but the fire’s gone out a bit.

So, here’s the bottom line. If you can only paddle out once, make it the morning of Friday the 14th. If you want more size and power, go for Saturday the 15th. Just remember, the mornings are gold, and the afternoons are for the beach. Stay stoked.

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