Surf Forecasts:
Rio Chico surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, WSW swell with 864 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rio Chico this week:
The surf forecast for Rio Chico over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rio Chico in the next 16 days are 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rio Chico over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, straight up – this 16-day window for Rio Chico is a tough one to call. The swell is coming from the right direction (SW), which lines up well, but the wind has been working against it almost the whole time, keeping the quality down. The water is a balmy 79°, which is a huge 9° warmer than average – proper tropical, but it doesn’t help the waves.
The best of a pretty average bunch is the morning of Thursday, August 14th. Rio Chico gets a 3ft swell from the WSW, with a very long period of 19 seconds. The energy is strong at 732, but don’t think it’s glassy – it’s cross-on with a light breeze. That long-period groundswell can work magic on a point break, but the wind angle is just enough to spoil the party, leaving it a bit lumpy.
After that, the morning of Friday, August 15th is your next look: a 4ft swell from the WSW, period of 17 seconds, and moderate energy at 815. It’s all cross-on again, with a gentle breeze kicking up some chop. The size is decent for a point, but the wind is the weak link.
The rest of the forecast is a slog. The first week has some “marginal” mornings, but from August 10th right through to the 25th, not a single day offers clean, offshore conditions. Most afternoons are blown onshore, and mornings are cross-on with light or gentle breezes that just leave the surface all rippled or choppy. The swell drops off hard by August 22nd, with energy in the 200s and wave heights under 2ft. There’s a long stretch of nothing worth recommending from August 19th through the 25th. It’s a pretty blank run, and for this spot, when the wind is wrong, the surf just goes quiet.
If you’re a kite surfer, this whole period is a dream – those consistent cross-on winds and small, bumpy swell are perfect for you. For the surfer on a paddle board, it’s a waiting game. The direction is right, so if that wind ever shifts offshore, it’ll be game on.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 | WSW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 305 | 167 | 252 | 142 | 163 | 266 | 132 | 162 | 144 | 190 | 643 | 719 | 789 | 864 | 666 | 740 | 561 | 482 | 342 | 318 | 323 |
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 | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:29PM2.05m | 2:23AM2.16m | 2:30PM2.16m | 3:15AM2.33m | 3:23PM2.27m | 4:02AM2.46m | 4:12PM2.34m | 4:46AM2.53m | 4:58PM2.36m | 5:27AM2.54m | 5:42PM2.32m | 6:06AM2.47m | 6:25PM2.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:56PM0.26m | 8:29AM0.51m | 8:51PM0.13m | 9:24AM0.37m | 9:41PM0.04m | 10:12AM0.26m | 10:26PM0.01m | 10:57AM0.19m | 11:09PM0.04m | 11:40AM0.18m | 11:50PM0.13m | 12:21PM0.22m | 00:31AM0.26m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 28 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | WSW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 305 | 167 | 252 | 58 | 142 | 266 | 49 | 37 | 25 | 14 | 643 | 719 | 789 | 864 | 666 | 740 | 561 | 482 | 109 | 125 | 132 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | W 13 | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | 184 | 58 | 151 | 142 | 163 | 22 | 132 | 162 | 144 | 82 | 74 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 342 | 318 | 323 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | — | SW 16 | N 6 | N 6 | SW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 21 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | 129 | 3 | 1 | 37 | 32 | 43 | 190 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 5 | SSW 6 | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 22 | 63 | — | 52 | 32 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 13 | 26 | 33 | 31 | 58 | 65 | 73 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 991 | 33 | 62 | 938 | 231 | 62 | 991 | 0 | 62 | 991 | 224 | 62 | 1017 | 33 | 81 | 991 | 224 | 62 | 1141 | 231 |
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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