San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
27.0°C
5.0° 

San Mateo surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


San Mateo surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for San Mateo this week:

The surf forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at San Mateo in the next 16 days are 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Best Surf 7AM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' at San Mateo.

It's gonna be a bit of a slow burn over the next week or so, with a lot of cross-shore and onshore wind messing things up. The water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a bit of a wild card. The first few days are a real write-off, with tiny, poor surf. We're looking at a gap of about a week before anything really starts to get interesting.

The standout session, and the only one I'd really be circling on the calendar, is the morning of Thursday, September 3rd. We've got a glassy 4ft southwest groundswell rolling in with a very long period of 19 seconds. The combined energy is reading 769 (moderate), but that glassy wind is the key – it'll be clean as a whistle. The swell direction from the southwest is a solid match for the optimum, so this point break should be offering up some real lines. It's an advanced, inconsistent spot that can be a bit of a tease, but when it works, it works. Just remember, it's a tricky one for the average punter.

Before that, the morning of Saturday, August 29th, sees the swell bump up to 5ft with 16-second period (1065 combined energy), but there's a stiff cross-shore wind that'll put a bit of a chop on the surface. It's a marginal call at best. The same goes for the morning of Friday, September 4th, with a 5ft to 5ft southwest swell, but again, cross-shore winds will be a factor.

After that Thursday morning window, the winds turn back onshore and the swell drops. The morning of Tuesday, September 8th, has a 2ft swell with a very long 21-second period, but it's going to be breaking straight, and the morning of Wednesday, September 9th, shows a 5ft southwest swell with 17 seconds (1486 combined energy), but it's marginal and the wind is still an issue. It's a long-range promise, so keep an eye on it.

Overall, it's a waiting game. The real prize is that Thursday the 3rd glassy morning. Don't sleep on it.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
2
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WSW
20
0.9
SW
18
1.2
SW
18
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.8
SW
12
0.8
SW
12
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
57
51
111
169
163
253
465
871
1109
1041
911
886
526
503
431
300
286
203
200
235
238
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
20
WSW
5
WSW
10
WSW
25
WSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
10
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:47PM2.17m
3:21AM2.32m
3:25PM2.29m
3:53AM2.45m
4:01PM2.39m
4:25AM2.56m
4:37PM2.45m
4:57AM2.62m
5:12PM2.48m
5:30AM2.63m
5:49PM2.46m
6:05AM2.60m
6:28PM2.40m
Low Tide
8:48AM0.71m
9:02PM0.43m
9:26AM0.58m
9:37PM0.34m
10:01AM0.46m
10:10PM0.28m
10:35AM0.36m
10:43PM0.25m
11:09AM0.29m
11:17PM0.26m
11:44AM0.25m
11:53PM0.31m
12:21PM0.26m
00:31AM0.39m
part cloud
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clear
part cloud
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clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
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part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:27
6:27
6:27
6:27
6:25
6:25
6:25
 mm
Temp °C
26
26
24
26
26
24
26
26
24
26
25
24
26
25
23
25
25
23
25
25
24
Feels °C
27
27
26
28
26
24
26
26
24
26
24
22
28
24
22
24
24
22
25
25
25
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 San Mateo Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for San Mateo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at San Mateo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our San Mateo 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 (San Mateo) 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 San Mateo 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Manabi? If you are looking for accommodation near San Mateo, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Manabi, consider staying in Manta which is 11 km (7 miles) away. Other places in and around Manabi where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Montecristi which is 21 km (13 miles) away, Portoviejo, Jipijapa and Sucre.

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