Surf Forecasts:
Rio Chico surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,221 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rio Chico over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Rio Chico.
The outlook is a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got some solid groundswell pulses showing up, but the wind is going to be the main issue – it’s mostly from the southwest, which is cross-on or onshore, and that’s going to keep things pretty bumpy and choppy. The water is running about 79°, which is a good 9° warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a proper anomaly – you’ll be in boardies for sure.
The first real sniff of something interesting comes on Friday the 4th of September. The swell builds to 5 ft on the Friday morning, wrapping around from the SW, with a period of 16 seconds. Combined wave energy is sitting at 1054 (moderate to strong energy). By Friday afternoon, we’re looking at 5 ft from the WSW, still with a 16-second period, and energy pushing 1209 (strong). The wind is a stubborn cross-on at 9 mph, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy. It’s a beach-and-reef setup, so with that onshore wind and decent size, this might actually be more interesting for the kite crew than paddle surfers.
Saturday the 5th holds similar size – 5 ft from the SW, 14-second period, but the wind is still cross-on from the south at 9 mph. The energy drops to 892 (moderate). The same caveat applies: the wind is the limiting factor for a clean face.
The standout look is on Thursday the 10th of September. The morning has a clean 3 ft swell from the SW, with a 15-second period, and the wind goes near glassy – just a 3 mph breeze from the SW, described as “on.” That’s about as good as it gets for wind conditions. The combined energy is 734 (moderate). For a point break like Rio Chico, that long-period groundswell (15 seconds) will wrap in nicely, offering good shape and longer lulls between sets. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have a few folks out, but it won’t be a circus. This Thursday morning window is easily the best on offer in the whole 16-day run.
After that, the swell backs off a bit into the second week, with heights dropping to 3 ft to 3 ft, and the wind staying mostly cross-on or onshore. It’s not a write-off, but you’ll be scratching for a clean one. The consistency is there, but the quality is missing.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 695 | 1031 | 863 | 785 | 589 | 479 | 400 | 388 | 264 | 216 | 205 | 202 | 238 | 278 | 232 | 201 | 293 | 591 | 547 | 1221 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 4:04PM2.15m | 4:28AM2.32m | 4:39PM2.20m | 5:00AM2.37m | 5:15PM2.23m | 5:32AM2.38m | 5:51PM2.21m | 6:06AM2.34m | 6:31PM2.16m | 6:44AM2.26m | 7:15PM2.07m | 7:27AM2.15m | 8:07PM1.95m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:13PM0.25m | 10:39AM0.34m | 10:46PM0.24m | 11:12AM0.27m | 11:20PM0.25m | 11:47AM0.24m | 11:55PM0.30m | 12:24PM0.25m | 00:33AM0.38m | 1:04PM0.29m | 1:17AM0.50m | 1:52PM0.37m | 2:08AM0.63m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 695 | 1031 | 863 | 785 | 589 | 479 | 400 | 388 | 264 | 216 | 205 | 202 | 238 | 278 | 232 | 161 | 147 | 591 | 547 | 1221 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | — | SSW 6 | — | W 14 | W 13 | SW 6 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — |
| kJ | 96 | — | 32 | — | 100 | 14 | 33 | 14 | 11 | 26 | 44 | 46 | 27 | 137 | 222 | 201 | 293 | 116 | 94 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 11 | — | — | — | W 13 | SW 20 | SW 20 | WSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | — | W 9 | SW 20 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | SW 14 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 14 | 15 | 15 | 36 | 54 | 82 | 155 | — | 1 | 137 | 104 | 17 | 89 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 5 | — | SW 6 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | — | SW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 245 | 28 | — | 25 | 36 | 43 | — | 24 | 40 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 991 | 62 | 62 | 938 | 62 | 62 | 1009 | 33 | 81 | 991 | 62 | 62 | 991 | 62 | 62 | 781 | 33 | 59 | 781 | 253 |
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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