Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,446 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 (Sep 02) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at San Mateo, and honestly, it’s a tough run of surf. This point break needs clean lines, but most of what’s forecast is choppy and cross-onshore junk. The water’s a balmy 81°, which is a wild 9° warmer than usual for this time of year—so at least it feels like a bath.
The first proper chance to paddle out is Friday morning, August 29th. Swell runs about 5 ft from the southwest, with a period of 16 seconds—that’s real groundswell energy, and the combined energy reading of 1093 (moderate to strong) backs that up. Wind’s cross-shore from the SSW at 9 mph, so not glassy but rideable. It’s a marginal window with possible tide issues, and there’ll be some cross-chop, but for advanced surfers it’s the only session worth a look in the near term.
From Saturday afternoon through Thursday, September 4th, it’s pretty poor. The wind stays up, mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the surf quality is marked poor or marginal. You’re lookin’ at 3 ft to 4 ft of messy, short-period stuff. Not worth paddlin’ out.
Then there’s a flicker on Friday morning, September 4th. Swell bumps to about 5 ft from the southwest, period 16 seconds again, and the combined energy hits 1250—decent punch. Wind is cross-shore at 12 mph, still not clean, but it’s the standout of the whole forecast. For a point break, that longer-period SW swell should wrap in with some shape, even if it’s a little lumpy. Keep in mind this spot is inconsistent, so when it pulses up, you gotta jump.
The second week, September 6th through the 13th, the swell fades from 4 ft down to 2 ft. The best morning is probably Sunday, September 6th: 4 ft, 14 seconds, light cross-shore at 6 mph. It’s marginal, but if you’re desperate and the tide works, you might find one. The 13th has a 19-second period on a tiny 2 ft swell—long waits for nothing.
Bottom line: your only real shots are Friday morning, August 29th and Friday morning, September 4th. Everything else is a skip or a gamble for the die-hards. This spot doesn’t fire often, so when it does—even just okay—you take it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1041 | 911 | 886 | 588 | 503 | 431 | 300 | 286 | 277 | 200 | 231 | 319 | 232 | 248 | 296 | 758 | 702 | 1312 | 1230 | 1428 | 1392 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:37PM2.45m | 4:57AM2.62m | 5:12PM2.48m | 5:30AM2.63m | 5:49PM2.46m | 6:05AM2.60m | 6:28PM2.40m | 6:43AM2.52m | 7:12PM2.31m | 7:26AM2.40m | 8:03PM2.18m | 8:18AM2.26m | 9:06PM2.07m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:35AM0.36m | 10:43PM0.25m | 11:09AM0.29m | 11:17PM0.26m | 11:44AM0.25m | 11:53PM0.31m | 12:21PM0.26m | 00:31AM0.39m | 1:02PM0.31m | 1:14AM0.50m | 1:49PM0.40m | 2:05AM0.64m | 2:46PM0.51m | 3:10AM0.77m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 1041 | 911 | 886 | 588 | 503 | 431 | 300 | 286 | 277 | 200 | 231 | 319 | 232 | 228 | 147 | 758 | 702 | 1312 | 1230 | 1428 | 1392 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 | SW 20 | SW 20 | WSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 11 | SW 14 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 36 | 55 | 44 | 112 | 290 | 222 | 248 | 296 | 119 | 114 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 18 | — | SW 20 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 20 | SW 15 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | — | WNW 10 | — | NW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | — | 16 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 82 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 188 | 178 | 14 | 13 | — | 10 | — | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | SSW 4 | — | SW 6 | — |
| kJ | 40 | 44 | 33 | 49 | 57 | 40 | 37 | 61 | 55 | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 140 | 10 | — | 32 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 912 | 141 | 102 | 938 | 11 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 857 | 0 | 102 | 141 | 377 | 102 | 857 | 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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