Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a solid 16-day window for Playa Santa Teresa, but it’s a slow burner at the start. The first real surfable day is Tuesday the 11th, but honestly, it’s a bit of a tease – small, onshore wind, and the water’s pumping at a toasty 87°F, which is *much warmer than normal* for this time of year. That’s a real standout, that water temp. You’ll feel like you’re surfing in a bath.
Wednesday morning the 12th is where it starts to get interesting. Glassy conditions, a light offshore breeze from the NE, and a clean 2ft swell from the SW. The energy is moderate (317), and with a 16-second period, this is proper groundswell. It’s small, but clean. The afternoon turns ugly though, with a cross-on wind.
Thursday the 13th morning is glassy again but tiny. The real action kicks off Friday morning the 14th. Glassy conditions, 4ft of SW swell with a long 18-second period. The energy is ramping up to moderate (804). This is a beautiful start to the weekend.
But the standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Saturday morning the 15th. Offshore wind from the NE, 5ft of SW swell, and the energy is strong (1004). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The 16-second period makes it a proper groundswell – best on a point or reef, but Santa Teresa’s exposed beach break will handle it with those clean conditions. This is the best on offer.
The following week sees a mix. Sunday the 16th afternoon has offshore winds again, with 4ft of SW swell. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th mornings are clean, but the swell drops. By Wednesday the 19th, we’re back to glassy mornings but small waves.
The second week gets smaller and more inconsistent. From the 20th to the 25th, it’s mostly tiny surf with a few glassy windows. The standout in that second week is Wednesday the 26th morning. Glassy, 2ft of SW swell, but the period jumps to 20 seconds – very long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (624). It’s promising, but it’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it yet.
Overall, Saturday the 15th morning is your best bet. Get on it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 319 | 173 | 211 | 206 | 183 | 137 | 167 | 369 | 804 | 694 | 1050 | 1004 | 897 | 853 | 606 | 606 | 528 | 428 | 377 | 416 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross | off | off | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 1:57AM2.44m | 2:14PM2.62m | 2:49AM2.61m | 3:05PM2.68m | 3:36AM2.73m | 3:53PM2.69m | 4:21AM2.79m | 4:38PM2.65m | 5:04AM2.77m | 5:22PM2.55m | 5:45AM2.68m | 6:05PM2.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:41PM0.20m | 8:02AM0.32m | 8:33PM0.09m | 8:56AM0.21m | 9:20PM0.02m | 9:46AM0.15m | 10:05PM0.01m | 10:32AM0.13m | 10:48PM0.06m | 11:17AM0.17m | 11:29PM0.17m | 12:01PM0.26m | 00:11AM0.31m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — |
mm | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 8 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 7 | SW 14 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 288 | 173 | 76 | 73 | 82 | 92 | 69 | 58 | 804 | 694 | 1050 | 1004 | 897 | 853 | 606 | 606 | 528 | 99 | 377 | 125 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 19 | S 7 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 319 | 56 | 211 | 206 | 183 | 137 | 167 | 369 | 48 | 160 | 184 | 177 | 137 | 224 | 104 | 86 | 117 | 428 | 122 | 416 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 7 | SW 7 | S 10 |
| kJ | 53 | 152 | 106 | 103 | 73 | 92 | 113 | 248 | 90 | 301 | — | — | — | — | 59 | 58 | 37 | 104 | 89 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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