Playa Santa Teresa Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.63° N 85.16° W

Playa Santa Teresa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Santa Teresa sea temperature is
30.3°C
2.3° 

Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Playa Santa Teresa surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 489 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 12th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 16th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 16th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Santa Teresa over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty mellow for Playa Santa Teresa. We’ve got a long run of small, clean mornings with a few bigger windows sliding in later. The water’s sitting at a balmy 87°F and that’s a full 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so the ocean feels properly tropical.

The standout stretch starts Saturday 12 September morning. Playa Santa Teresa is showing a clean 3ft swell from the SW with a nice 14-second period (good groundswell energy). Winds are glassy, absolutely dead – that’s a major positive. The combined energy is 356, so moderate but solid for the size. It’s a consistent break and exposed to that WNW optimum direction, so this morning is your go-to. Make the most of it because onshore winds spoil the afternoons.

Sunday 13 September morning stays clean but the swell drops to 2ft, still SW, 13 seconds – still fun little waves (209 energy). Glass again. Afternoons get messy.

Monday 14 September morning has a tiny 2ft swell but look at that period: 19 seconds. Very long groundswell. Combined energy is 244. Glassy wind again – you’ll get some clean little runners, but the long period means those waves might wall up a bit on the beach breaks. Still worth a paddle.

Tuesday 15 September morning offers 2ft with 18-second period (452 energy) and a cross-off breeze from the ENE – clean conditions. There’s a risk of thunderstorms but the morning window should be fine.

From Wednesday 16 September through to Friday 18 September, we’ve got a run of mornings with 2-3ft swells, periods 13-16 seconds, and glassy or cross-off winds. Good consistent options but nothing huge.

Then Saturday 20 September morning really jumps out. 3ft – still small – but the period is 19 seconds again and the combined energy kicks up to 622. Glassy wind (ESE 3 mph). This is a quality morning: clean, long-period lines, and the break is consistent. Could be some lovely long rides.

Sunday 21 September morning sticks with 3ft, 18 seconds, 553 energy, and glassy conditions from the NW. Another top morning.

Now, the real standout is Wednesday 23 September morning. Swell jumps to 7ft from the WSW, period short at 9 seconds, with a combined energy of 1077 – that’s strong energy. Winds are glassy. This is excellent surf, but at 7ft it’s pushing into expert territory only. The short period means a bit more chop in the face, but the sheer power will be there. For experienced surfers, this is the best session on offer.

The final week is a mixed bag. Thursday 24 September morning cleans up again with 3ft, 14 seconds, 395 energy and glassy wind. Friday 25 September morning shows 6ft from the SSW (8 seconds, 502 energy) with a cross-off wind – clean but short period, so it’s a bit junky. Saturday 26 September morning has 6ft (WSW, 9 seconds, 749 energy) but cross-shore winds create some chop. The rest of that period is either marginal or blown out.

Overall, mornings are your friend. Crowds are possible at this break, so for the standout mornings (Saturday 12, Saturday 20, Sunday 21, and Wednesday 23) get out early to beat the packs. For the bigger day on the 23rd, only the experienced crew should paddle out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
0
2
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.5
SW
20
0.6
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
346
289
176
140
138
234
171
246
379
249
429
371
367
344
350
346
297
228
175
186
236
Wind (km/h)
0
NNE
15
SSW
0
NW
0
NNW
10
SW
5
NE
5
N
10
S
0
NE
5
ENE
10
SSW
0
N
10
E
10
S
5
N
5
E
10
SSW
5
WSW
0
WNW
15
WSW
10
W
Wind State
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:33PM2.62m
3:53AM2.77m
4:14PM2.58m
4:32AM2.73m
4:54PM2.50m
5:10AM2.64m
5:33PM2.38m
5:48AM2.50m
6:13PM2.23m
6:27AM2.34m
6:55PM2.08m
7:10AM2.18m
7:43PM1.93m
Low Tide
9:26AM0.12m
9:40PM0.12m
10:08AM0.10m
10:19PM0.16m
10:48AM0.14m
10:58PM0.25m
11:27AM0.23m
11:36PM0.37m
12:06PM0.35m
00:15AM0.52m
12:48PM0.50m
00:56AM0.67m
1:35PM0.64m
1:44AM0.81m
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:43
5:42
5:40
5:40
5:39
5:39
5:38
 mm
1
3
2
6
6
1
2
5
7
3
1
1
2
2
1
2
8
Temp °C
29
29
28
29
29
28
29
28
28
29
29
27
28
28
28
29
29
28
29
29
28
Feels °C
34
31
32
33
32
33
32
31
33
32
32
32
32
31
33
32
32
33
32
32
32
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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