Surf Forecasts:
Rio Chico surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,031 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rio Chico this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rio Chico in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rio Chico over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s talk about what’s coming. It’s a slow start, no two ways about it. The first few days are totally flat and not worth a second look. We’re waiting until the end of the week for anything to paddle out into.
The only spot we’re talking about is Rio Chico, a point break that’s very consistent and open to the SW swell. The water temp is a crazy 79°, which is a full 9° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a huge difference, so it’s going to feel like a warm bath.
There’s a big gap of no surf until the 28th of August. The first real chance comes on Friday morning the 30th of August, with a 3ft swell from the WSW, a long 18-second period, and moderate energy (715). It’s still only marginal, with a light cross-onshore breeze, so don’t expect perfection – it’ll be a bit bumpy.
The weekend of the 31st of August and 1st of September stays in that same marginal zone. We see swells around 4ft to 5ft from the WSW with moderate to strong energy, but the wind stays cross-on or onshore, keeping the surface messy. The period drops too, so the quality isn’t there.
The one to really watch is Friday the 6th of September. The morning forecast shows a solid 5ft from the SW with a strong 16-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at a very strong 1154. The wind is light and cross-on, so it’s not glassy but it’s workable. The surf holds that size through the afternoon. This is the standout of the whole outlook, but it’s a long way out, so treat it as a promising possibility, not a guarantee. At 5ft, it’s getting too big for beginners and is more for the experienced crew. The long period will make it better on this point break, with cleaner lines and longer waits between sets. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so expect some company if it fires.
After that, the following week drops back into smaller stuff. There’s another glimpse on Tuesday the 10th of September with a 4ft SW swell and a nice long 17-second period, but again, that’s a long-range whisper.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 109 | 55 | 54 | 48 | 50 | 55 | 129 | 112 | 590 | 404 | 695 | 1031 | 863 | 785 | 672 | 479 | 400 | 388 | 264 | 216 | 205 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:09PM1.83m | 2:52AM1.97m | 2:50PM1.95m | 3:26AM2.11m | 3:28PM2.06m | 3:58AM2.23m | 4:04PM2.15m | 4:28AM2.32m | 4:39PM2.20m | 5:00AM2.37m | 5:15PM2.23m | 5:32AM2.38m | 5:51PM2.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:28PM0.48m | 8:55AM0.67m | 9:06PM0.38m | 9:31AM0.54m | 9:40PM0.30m | 10:06AM0.43m | 10:13PM0.25m | 10:39AM0.34m | 10:46PM0.24m | 11:12AM0.27m | 11:20PM0.25m | 11:47AM0.24m | 11:55PM0.30m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 16 | WSW 19 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 109 | 55 | 38 | 33 | 34 | 26 | 15 | 94 | 590 | 301 | 695 | 1031 | 863 | 785 | 672 | 479 | 400 | 388 | 264 | 216 | 205 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 13 | NW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 6 | — | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | SSW 6 | W 12 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 10 | 10 | 54 | 48 | 32 | 55 | 129 | 46 | 6 | 404 | 96 | 6 | 33 | — | 34 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 46 | 25 | 54 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 9 | SW 21 | — | — | — | — | NW 11 | — | W 18 | — | SW 20 | SW 20 | W 12 | SW 19 | W 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 50 | 50 | 13 | 112 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 6 | — | 15 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | SW 8 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | — | SSW 6 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | — | SW 6 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 40 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 58 | 10 | 11 | 18 | — | 21 | 19 | 46 | 33 | 28 | — | 42 | 42 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 173 | 781 | 33 | 62 | 1063 | 35 | 62 | 1033 | 224 | 62 | 938 | 62 | 62 | 1063 | 33 | 62 | 1128 | 33 | 62 | 1128 | 62 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Manabi | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ecuador | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rio Chico Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rio Chico provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rio Chico can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rio Chico 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 (Rio Chico) 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 Rio Chico 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.
Rio Chico is 45 km (28 miles) from Jipijapa. If you plan a holiday in Manabi, look for hotels and other accommodation in Jipijapa. Jipijapa has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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