
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with 465 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Santa Teresa in the next 16 days are 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 9PM. 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 12s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a real mixed bag coming, but a few sessions are gonna be absolutely worth the paddle out. The water’s sitting at a balmy 87°F and running a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, so you won’t need the thick rubber.
The first call is for Thursday morning, July 16th at Playa Santa Teresa. It’s a clean 3ft swell from the SSW with a solid 13-second period pushing through. The combined energy is moderate at 352, and with a light offshore breeze from the NE, it’s going to be glassy and good. This is a consistent break, exposed to the swell, and you’ll want the WNW optimum direction in mind. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so perfect for a fun morning session.
Thursday afternoon turns onshore and messy, so bail out before lunch. Friday morning, July 17th looks similar – 3ft of SSW swell with a 12-second period and clean 6 mph offshore winds. Wave energy ramps up a touch to 403. It’s a good, clean option.
Saturday morning, July 18th is a drop-off. The swell drops to 3ft from the SSW, and while it’s clean with an offshore breeze, the energy is a weak 164. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The standouts are yet to come.
Sunday morning, July 19th is a weird one. A tiny 1ft groundswell from the SW with a very long 19-second period. The wind is glassy from the NE. The energy is only 165, so it’s weak. Long period swells like this can be tricky at beach breaks, breaking straight, but with a total lack of wind, it’ll be a pretty, glassy knee-high session.
Now, Monday morning, July 20th is where things get interesting. The swell is still modest at 2ft, but it’s a 16-second period groundswell from the SW, and the energy jumps to a strong 508. The wind is a light offshore from the NNE, keeping it clean. This is a very good session for the size.
Tuesday morning, July 21st is another winner. Glassy conditions with a 3ft SW swell at 15 seconds. Energy is 301, and it’s clean. The morning is the call.
The Wednesday morning, July 22nd session is glassy again, but the swell drops to 2ft. It’s clean, but small.
We hit a bit of a blank patch mid-week, but Thursday morning, July 23rd brings a punchy change. A 4ft swell from the SSW, but it’s a short-period 8-second wind swell. The energy is 204, and while it’s clean with an offshore wind, it’s more of a choppy, wind-driven wave. Not the best quality.
Friday morning, July 24th is a write-off. A 2ft swell and moderate cross-offshore winds make it marginal.
Now, listen up. Saturday morning, July 25th is a true standout. The swell hits 3ft from the SW, but the period is a very long 21 seconds, and the energy is a massive 708. It’s glassy with a light NW breeze. This is a long-period groundswell, so it’ll be better shaped, with more energy and longer lulls between sets. It’s going to be an incredible morning for experienced surfers.
Sunday morning, July 26th is another beauty. The swell is 4ft from the SW, 19-second period, and the energy is an even stronger 968. Glassy conditions with a light NNE breeze. This is a top-shelf morning.
But the absolute best on offer? Monday morning, July 27th. The swell is 4ft from the SW, 17-second period, and the energy is a massive 1000. The wind is a light offshore from the NE. This is excellent surf, but at 4ft, it’s getting into the zone where it’s better for experienced surfers. It’s clean, powerful, and pumping.
Tuesday morning, July 28th is the biggest swell of the run. 5ft from the SW, 18-second period, and a colossal energy of 1573. It’s glassy but this is expert territory. It’s too big for beginners.
The last few days of July and into August offer smaller, glassy mornings with consistent waist-high SW swell, but nothing beats that Monday the 27th. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
261 | 396 | 163 | 271 | 372 | 331 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 122 | 197 | 194 | 257 | 306 | 309 | 301 | 248 | 250 | 140 | 100 | 151 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | off |
High Tide | 4:09PM2.74m | 4:44AM2.73m | 4:59PM2.68m | 5:32AM2.73m | 5:48PM2.57m | 6:19AM2.67m | 6:36PM2.42m | 7:05AM2.56m | 7:25PM2.26m | 7:52AM2.43m | 8:16PM2.09m | 8:41AM2.29m | 9:11PM1.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:00AM0.17m | 10:27PM-0.04m | 10:52AM0.18m | 11:14PM0.01m | 11:43AM0.23m | 00:00AM0.13m | 12:33PM0.32m | 00:46AM0.28m | 1:23PM0.43m | 1:32AM0.45m | 2:14PM0.54m | 2:20AM0.61m | 3:08PM0.64m | ||||||||
5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 7 | 3 | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 7 | SW 15 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 |
261 | 396 | 161 | 271 | 372 | 331 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 383 | 304 | 319 | 208 | 187 | 68 | 301 | 64 | 67 | 63 | 79 | 151 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
91 | 41 | 163 | 75 | 54 | 14 | 203 | 195 | 33 | 43 | 197 | 48 | 257 | 306 | 309 | 134 | 248 | 250 | 140 | 100 | 72 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 21 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 16 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 15 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 7 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 |
11 | 17 | 75 | 57 | 62 | 81 | 19 | 20 | 94 | 122 | 4 | 194 | 37 | 53 | 184 | 44 | 137 | 101 | 62 | 61 | 34 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.










