
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 11 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, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,050 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s lined up for us over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, mostly on the smaller side but with some real gems if you pick your windows. The water is sitting at 87°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s much warmer than normal, so the boardies will be all you need.
The action kicks off on Tuesday morning, August 11th, at Playa Santa Teresa. It’s a small start with 3ft of SW groundswell, but the period is a nice 14 seconds and the wind is glassy from the NNW. The combined energy is moderate at 387. This is a good, clean session for beginners or anyone wanting a gentle paddle. The afternoons turn poor, so stick to the early.
Wednesday morning, August 12th, is another glassy morning with 2ft of SW swell (16-second period, 317 energy). Again, only the morning window is worth it.
We then hit a bit of a lull through Thursday, August 13th. The morning is glassy but only 2ft and energy drops to 139 – surfable but very ordinary.
Then we get to the good stuff. Friday, August 14th, the morning sees 4ft of SW groundswell with a 18-second period. The energy jumps up to a strong 804, and with glassy NE wind, this is a very good session. Saturday morning, August 15th, is the standout for the week. Swell bumps up to 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, and with a clean offshore ENE breeze at 3 mph, the energy is a strong 1004. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, well-shaped lines.
Sunday, August 16th, keeps the fun going. Morning has a cross-offshore wind and 4ft of SW swell (606 energy), and the afternoon goes completely glassy with the same wave size. Very good both sessions.
Monday, August 17th, and Tuesday, August 18th, continue with clean offshore winds and 4ft to 3ft of SW swell – good surf, especially for the morning paddles.
Wednesday, August 19th, the morning is clean with 3ft of SW swell (330 energy), but it’s a bit weaker. After that, the surf drops off. Thursday and Friday (August 20-21) are pretty weak – only 2ft to 1ft and low energy, so just ordinary waves.
The following week, from August 22nd to 26th, the swell stays small, mostly 1ft to 2ft, but the periods get long again, especially on the 23rd (19 seconds) and 26th (20 seconds). The mornings are often glassy or clean, making for some clean but tiny waves. For a surfer who just wants to be out there, it’s fine, but nothing to get excited about.
The real standout is Saturday morning, August 15th – that’s the one to circle. Bigger swell, clean offshore wind, good energy. If you can only pick one session, make it that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 27°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
228 | 319 | 173 | 211 | 206 | 183 | 137 | 251 | 369 | 804 | 694 | 1050 | 1004 | 897 | 853 | 606 | 606 | 528 | 428 | 434 | 416 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 1:17PM2.52m | 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 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 26 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 6 | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SW 14 |
228 | 288 | 173 | 76 | 71 | 100 | 92 | 72 | 71 | 804 | 694 | 1050 | 1004 | 897 | 853 | 606 | 606 | 528 | 128 | 108 | 416 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | 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 | S 12 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 7 |
51 | 319 | 56 | 211 | 206 | 183 | 137 | 251 | 369 | 48 | 160 | 184 | 177 | 177 | 216 | 92 | 92 | 97 | 428 | 434 | 106 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 14 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 |
159 | 53 | 152 | 106 | 103 | 73 | 92 | 47 | 248 | 90 | 301 | — | — | — | — | 59 | 37 | 37 | 35 | 57 | 26 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 12 | 0 | 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.











