
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 435 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s 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 05) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 12s 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here. Gotta be honest, we're looking at a tricky start over the next 16 days. The ocean’s playing hard to get, so let's keep expectations in check but look for the windows.
We're on at Playa Santa Teresa, a pretty consistent spot, exposed out west-northwest. The water is sitting at a toasty 87°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so you can leave the thick steamer at home.
The first few days are a proper write-off. No recommendations at all from now until the end of Tuesday the 5th. The beginning of the week offers a teaser though. Wednesday, August 5th, you’ll see a tiny 0.3ft swell from the southwest, but it's coming in with a long 15-second period. It’s a light morning glass-off that makes it surfable but nothing to get stoked about.
Thursday and Friday look a bit messy, with poor surf conditions and off-and-on winds.
Alright, now for the first standout. The real interest kicks off on Friday, August 7th. The early morning session is where it's at. We've got a solid 0.6ft swell from the south-southwest, and the period jumps to a very long 18 seconds – proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light offshore breeze from the northeast, keeping it clean. The combined energy is moderate at 375. This will offer well-shaped, powerful lines for a point break setup. It’s not going to be too big, so beginners could have a go, but the long period will make it punchy.
The run of good mornings continues. Saturday the 8th is similar: 0.8ft swell, 16-second period, and light offshore winds. Same deal for Sunday the 9th, with a 1.0ft swell. Then Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th bring glassy conditions in the morning with that consistent southwest groundswell.
Now, here is the best of the whole outlook. Mark your calendars for Friday, August 14th. The morning session looks mint. We’re expecting a 1ft swell from the southwest with a very long 18-second period. The wind will be glassy from the northeast, so expect perfect, clean conditions. The combined energy jumps to a strong 804. This is a setup for some serious speed and power – a good choice for experienced surfers. if you can handle the size, it’s definitely the pick of the bunch. Crowds are possible at a spot like this, so get there early. The Saturday morning of the 15th is equally exciting, with a 1ft swell and offshore winds, showing very strong energy at 909.
After that, the pattern holds into the final week with clean mornings and solid southwest swell in the 1ft range, though the periods drop a bit. The long-range stuff looks promising, but we're keeping an eye on it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
126 | 73 | 54 | 50 | 75 | 97 | 64 | 212 | 207 | 302 | 330 | 322 | 435 | 268 | 401 | 288 | 249 | 175 | 297 | 314 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | off | cross | glassy | off | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:35PM2.23m | 6:59AM2.47m | 7:21PM2.15m | 7:47AM2.42m | 8:16PM2.06m | 8:44AM2.37m | 9:22PM2.00m | 9:51AM2.33m | 10:36PM2.01m | 11:03AM2.35m | 11:51PM2.10m | 12:14PM2.42m | 00:58AM2.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:38AM0.44m | 1:19PM0.48m | 1:24AM0.51m | 2:13PM0.52m | 2:18AM0.58m | 3:16PM0.55m | 3:24AM0.63m | 4:26PM0.53m | 4:38AM0.64m | 5:38PM0.46m | 5:54AM0.57m | 6:43PM0.34m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 13 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 |
126 | 90 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 104 | 98 | 212 | 89 | 78 | 330 | 322 | 435 | 268 | 401 | 288 | 249 | 175 | 297 | 314 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 20 | S 9 |
93 | 73 | 50 | 50 | 75 | 97 | 64 | 54 | 168 | 148 | 73 | 139 | 55 | 79 | 34 | 48 | 47 | 47 | 61 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | SW 6 | SW 15 | S 14 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 12 | S 9 | WSW 6 | S 9 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 21 | S 18 | SW 20 |
8 | 9 | 54 | 37 | 31 | 19 | 43 | 127 | 207 | 302 | 144 | 52 | 3 | 39 | 6 | 49 | 68 | 113 | 6 | 186 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | — | NW 5 | S 9 | — |
— | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 41 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 132 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 2 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 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.











