Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 480 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a seat. The surf here is in a bit of a slumber for the next week and a half, if we’re being honest. The energy is just weak and the winds are mostly messing things up, so you’re not missing much. It’s looking like a waiting game until the real ocean wakes up again. Don't get too twitchy though, because there are some seriously promising signs on the horizon.
We’re talking about San Mateo, a point break that needs the right conditions to really fire. It’s exposed to the northwest, and the forecast is all about that southwest swell, which is a bit off-angle for the spot to be at its absolute best.
The first real day to even think about is Tuesday, August 27th. Even then, it’s a marginal call. The morning has a small cross-shore breeze with only 2ft of swell, but it’s from the SW. It's not going to be epic, just the first sign of life. Nothing to get excited about.
Then there’s a big, empty gap of a few days where the surf is just too small and the wind is on it. The afternoons are particularly poor, with a cross-onshore breeze chopping up what little there is. You’d be better off doing something else.
The standout window, and the only time I’d really be circling on the calendar, is the Saturday morning of August 29th. We finally see a pulse of proper energy. The swell jumps to a cleaner 5ft from the southwest with a 16-second period. The combined energy reading is a strong 1293, which is a real jump from the weak stuff we’ve been seeing. The wind is light and cross-shore, which, for a point break, is about as good as it gets. This is the one. The morning of the 30th still has size and potential, but the wind will be stronger and that raw energy drops a bit. It could still be fun, but Saturday morning is your pick.
So, to sum it up: it’s a dry spell for the most part, but that late-August pulse is something to hold onto. It's a long way off, so don't book your flights yet, but it’s got the look of a proper groundswell. The water temp is a balmy 81° which is a good 9° warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a hood.
Keep it locked in, and check back closer to the day.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon 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 Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 404 | 440 | 380 | 468 | 301 | 293 | 218 | 331 | 316 | 176 | 169 | 77 | 127 | 74 | 127 | 116 | 97 | 129 | 208 | 203 | 192 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:05PM2.37m | 7:21AM2.44m | 7:48PM2.20m | 8:02AM2.25m | 8:36PM2.03m | 8:47AM2.07m | 9:32PM1.88m | 9:42AM1.92m | 10:43PM1.78m | 10:52AM1.84m | 00:04AM1.78m | 12:09PM1.84m | 1:13AM1.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:58PM0.30m | 1:08AM0.43m | 1:39PM0.43m | 1:50AM0.61m | 2:23PM0.57m | 2:35AM0.79m | 3:13PM0.70m | 3:30AM0.94m | 4:16PM0.80m | 4:41AM1.03m | 5:31PM0.82m | 6:02AM1.04m | 6:42PM0.77m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 7 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 14 | SSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 404 | 440 | 116 | 468 | 301 | 293 | 218 | 331 | 316 | 117 | 90 | 65 | 125 | 84 | 127 | 61 | 85 | 82 | 208 | 203 | 192 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | S 12 | SW 15 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 11 | SW 18 | NW 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 21 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | 380 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 176 | 169 | 77 | 127 | 74 | 42 | 116 | 97 | 129 | 52 | 50 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 11 | S 11 | N 7 | — | W 16 | N 8 | NW 10 | NW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 22 | SW 11 | NW 13 | SW 20 | W 13 | W 12 | SSW 8 | SW 15 | NW 12 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 39 | 8 | 38 | 18 | 19 | 7 | 61 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SW 7 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | SW 10 | — | SW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 |
| kJ | 123 | 112 | — | 83 | 117 | 143 | 230 | 166 | 147 | — | — | 66 | — | — | 94 | — | 74 | 47 | 10 | 23 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 820 | 674 | 7 | 7 | 883 | 310 | 674 | 912 | 310 | 7 | 857 | 141 | 141 | 1050 | 11 | 138 | 815 | 111 | 7 | 938 | 111 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Manabi | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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