
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s talk about San Mateo for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a rough patch. The first few days are a struggle. We’ve got a solid groundswell pushing through from the southwest, with periods hanging around 16 to 18 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate to strong (1155). But the problem is that this swell is coming from the wrong direction for the San Mateo point. It’s an exposed spot that needs it from the NW, and this SW angle is just not doing us any favours.
The water is a standout feature right now – it’s running at 80°F, which is a massive 8° warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you won’t need a thick wetsuit, that’s for sure.
Looking at the specifics, the first recommendation is for Sunday morning, 26 July. There’s a 4ft SW swell, long period of 17 seconds and a light cross breeze. The energy is moderate (931). It’s not great, but it’s the most surfable start we’ve got. The afternoon goes to pot with a moderate cross-chop, so grab the early if you’re keen.
Monday morning, 27 July, sees a little more size at 4ft, and the period actually stretches to 18 seconds. The energy is up to 1155, which is solid. But the wind is still crossing, and the direction is all wrong. It’s a better look than the weekend, but still far from perfect.
Now, the closest thing to a standout in this whole outlook is Wednesday morning, 29 July. The swell is 5ft from the SW, period 15 seconds, and the wind turns light and cross-offshore from the south. That’s clean. The energy is 845 – moderate – and the conditions are described as clean. For this spot, in this window, that’s your best bet. It’s inconsistent though, so don’t expect a constant barrage, but when the sets come through, they’ll have some shape.
After that, it’s a long, slow fade. From Thursday, 30 July, the swell drops steadily. We’re looking at 4ft then 3ft, then dropping to 2ft by the 1st of August. The period shortens, the energy drops to weak (214), and the wind gets messy. The afternoons are all blown out. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations – from Thursday afternoon right through to the morning of Wednesday, 5 August, where a tiny 3ft, 15-second period swell pops up, but the energy is only 323 and the wind is cross. It’s marginal at best.
The second week is slim pickings. A few mornings with 3ft to 4ft swells, but the period drops and the wind is always cross or onshore. The energy stays weak to moderate, but never gets back to that Wednesday morning level. There’s nothing to get excited about here.
So, if you’re set on paddling out, Wednesday morning, 29 July, is the time. Clean conditions, a bit of size, and that long period groundswell will wrap in with some power. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 17 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
760 | 692 | 455 | 1099 | 1099 | 1187 | 1123 | 1096 | 1014 | 836 | 736 | 485 | 451 | 335 | 320 | 310 | 231 | 210 | 137 | 132 | 148 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:37PM2.00m | 2:28AM2.02m | 2:26PM2.08m | 3:11AM2.14m | 3:09PM2.17m | 3:49AM2.26m | 3:48PM2.26m | 4:24AM2.36m | 4:25PM2.31m | 4:58AM2.44m | 5:01PM2.35m | 5:31AM2.49m | 5:37PM2.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:03PM0.59m | 8:25AM0.83m | 8:48PM0.49m | 9:10AM0.73m | 9:28PM0.39m | 9:50AM0.65m | 10:05PM0.32m | 10:27AM0.57m | 10:39PM0.29m | 11:03AM0.52m | 11:13PM0.28m | 11:38AM0.48m | 11:46PM0.31m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 29 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 |
760 | 692 | 406 | 1099 | 1099 | 1187 | 1123 | 1096 | 1014 | 836 | 736 | 485 | 451 | 335 | 320 | 310 | 231 | 210 | 137 | 132 | 33 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | SW 12 | SW 20 | WNW 13 | SW 10 | SSW 6 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | NW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 12 | NW 8 | NW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WSW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 12 |
118 | 73 | 455 | 17 | 36 | 31 | 17 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 29 | 66 | 102 | 112 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | NW 14 | SW 11 | NW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | — | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 8 | NW 12 | NW 9 | — | SW 18 | SW 18 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 15 |
53 | 53 | 60 | 7 | 17 | 17 | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 3 | — | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 148 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | SSW 7 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — |
98 | 20 | 36 | 32 | 60 | — | 21 | 27 | — | — | — | 30 | 7 | 19 | 30 | 90 | 155 | 71 | 49 | 49 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 916 | 7 | 7 | 979 | 46 | 7 | 141 | 141 | 0 | 141 | 7 | 7 | 938 | 111 | 185 | 1012 | 310 | 7 | 815 | 141 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Manabi | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ecuador | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










