Surf Forecasts:
Rio Chico surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SW swell with 238 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. 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+) | 7AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rio Chico over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for Rio Chico.
Right off the bat, I’ve got to be honest with you – this 16-day window is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of mostly poor surf, so don’t rush to grab your board just yet. The water is sitting at a very warm 78°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – like 8° above average, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.
The first real glimmer of anything worthwhile doesn’t show up until Friday, the 28th of August. That morning, we’ve got a jump in swell to 5 ft out of the SW, with a solid 18-second period. The combined wave energy climbs to a strong 1292, so there’s some real grunt behind it. Winds are light and cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve seen. By the afternoon, the swell builds to 6 ft, still from the SW, with a period of 17 seconds, and energy jumps to 1717. It’s a bit of a beast, but the conditions are still only marginal. This is a standout, but it’s shaping up more for the advanced crew – 6 ft with that long period can be a handful at a point break, especially with the cross-on wind.
The Saturday the 29th of August holds similar size, with 6 ft in the morning and 6 ft in the afternoon, but the period drops to 15-16 seconds, and the energy is still strong at 1463 and 1286. Winds are still light and cross-onshore, so it’s rideable but still a bit messy. It’s a solid option for experienced surfers.
After that, we trail off into smaller stuff. Sunday the 30th of August morning has 5 ft, but by Sunday afternoon and into the next week, it fades quickly. The rest of the period is filled with poor surf and marginal conditions, with only small, weak swells. The energy drops back to moderate or even weak levels, like 386 on the 31st of August Monday morning.
The standout days are clearly the 28th and 29th of August. For a point break like Rio Chico, that long-period SW groundswell is the call – it’s the most energy we see, and it’s the closest to the optimum swell direction. Just be ready for cross-onshore winds, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s the best on offer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 7 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 249 | 293 | 221 | 172 | 80 | 160 | 87 | 102 | 92 | 88 | 83 | 92 | 161 | 113 | 148 | 132 | 129 | 124 | 110 | 76 | 73 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:40PM1.81m | 8:48AM1.84m | 9:39PM1.68m | 9:44AM1.71m | 10:54PM1.60m | 10:57AM1.63m | 00:17AM1.61m | 12:15PM1.64m | 1:24AM1.70m | 1:19PM1.72m | 2:13AM1.83m | 2:09PM1.83m | 2:52AM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:26PM0.53m | 2:38AM0.76m | 3:17PM0.65m | 3:34AM0.89m | 4:21PM0.73m | 4:49AM0.97m | 5:38PM0.75m | 6:14AM0.97m | 6:49PM0.69m | 7:23AM0.90m | 7:45PM0.59m | 8:14AM0.79m | 8:28PM0.48m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 10 | SSW 6 | SW 9 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 5 | SW 18 | SW 5 | SW 16 | SSW 5 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 249 | 293 | 221 | 102 | 65 | 160 | 22 | 71 | 92 | 88 | 83 | 80 | 10 | 113 | 19 | 132 | 18 | 124 | 110 | 76 | 73 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 10 | SW 14 | WSW 20 | SW 9 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 178 | 136 | 212 | 172 | 80 | 57 | 33 | 102 | 41 | 21 | 60 | 92 | 161 | 36 | 148 | 31 | 129 | 30 | 18 | 18 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | SW 18 | — | SW 19 | SW 14 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 22 | W 13 | SW 20 | SSW 9 | NW 9 | SW 12 | WSW 14 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | W 15 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 1 | 12 | — | 14 | 51 | 15 | 87 | 18 | 3 | 60 | 8 | 3 | 37 | 21 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 9 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | SW 5 | — | SSW 6 | — | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 70 | 13 | 15 | 15 | — | 13 | — | 27 | — | 11 | 24 | 19 | 19 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 443 | 1017 | 231 | 62 | 998 | 35 | 3 | 781 | 253 | 55 | 738 | 33 | 62 | 876 | 33 | 62 | 1090 | 33 | 62 | 738 | 383 |
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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