Surf Forecasts:
Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SSW swell with 430 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period. 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 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 1.3m 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty, signing off.
Alright crew, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks have a slowish start but plenty to get excited about if you’re patient.
The action starts Monday morning, August 17th. Water temps are a balmy 87°F, which is about 5°F warmer than normal – that’s notably warm for the season, so leave the rubber at home.
Monday morning at Playa Santa Teresa sees a 4ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period. The combined swell energy is a moderate (428). Winds are glassy out of the north at 3 mph, making for a silky smooth lineup. This spot is consistent, so you’ll get plenty of waves. Tuesday the 18th morning is similar with 3ft SW swell and again glassy light airs. Wednesday the 19th keeps the pattern of clean 3ft waves on those glassy mornings.
The true standout in the first week is Friday morning, August 21st. We’ve got a 4ft SSW swell at 11 seconds pumping in. The energy hits a strong 500, and with glassy conditions and a light 3 mph east-northeast wind, it’s going to be *very* good. Grab it.
From Saturday the 22nd, the surf drops off. The mornings remain glassy but small. Sunday the 23rd morning shows a tiny 2ft swell but with an incredibly long 19-second period and a light offshore wind, making for clean little peelers.
Now, the big news. Saturday morning, August 29th, offers a serious spike. A 4ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and the combined energy rockets to a huge 654. Glassy conditions from the northeast at 3 mph. That’s a standout session right there.
The absolute best on offer is Sunday morning, August 30th. A solid 5ft SW swell with a 16-second period. The energy is massive at 1254 – that’s very strong. Winds are a light cross-off from the east-northeast at 3 mph. This is expert-only territory at that size with that period, but for the experienced surfer, it’ll be absolutely epic and clean. Monday the 31st still offers very good 5ft swell with clean cross-off winds.
So, there you have it. Get on those morning sessions for the best of it. The first week has clean fun surf, but the second week holds some real power.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 428 | 410 | 373 | 322 | 406 | 309 | 251 | 203 | 142 | 197 | 350 | 415 | 430 | 129 | 95 | 136 | 118 | 184 | 206 | 260 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:05PM2.41m | 6:26AM2.55m | 6:48PM2.25m | 7:08AM2.39m | 7:34PM2.08m | 7:54AM2.23m | 8:24PM1.93m | 8:45AM2.09m | 9:25PM1.81m | 9:47AM2.00m | 10:36PM1.77m | 10:55AM1.98m | 11:47PM1.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.31m | 12:44PM0.38m | 00:52AM0.48m | 1:30PM0.52m | 1:36AM0.64m | 2:20PM0.65m | 2:26AM0.78m | 3:18PM0.75m | 3:25AM0.89m | 4:25PM0.80m | 4:35AM0.93m | 5:33PM0.77m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 10 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 6 | 3 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 138 | 410 | 373 | 120 | 117 | 113 | 123 | 123 | 147 | 197 | 350 | 415 | 430 | 338 | 259 | 194 | 149 | 106 | 134 | 109 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 7 | S 8 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 428 | 108 | 124 | 322 | 406 | 309 | 251 | 203 | 142 | 113 | 83 | 55 | 35 | 129 | 95 | 136 | 118 | 120 | 206 | 260 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | W 12 | SW 21 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 28 | 39 | 36 | 23 | 6 | 18 | 67 | 60 | 97 | 184 | 84 | 82 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | WNW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 12 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 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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