San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
27.3° C
5.1° 

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 11 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,312 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 20s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 1.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 13th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 20s
Best Surf 7AM (Tue 18th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 14th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, I'm Rusty, and I'm looking at the surf situation for San Mateo over the next 16 days. This is a classic point break that's exposed to the north-west, and it's an advanced spot with an inconsistent wave. The water's sitting at a warm 81° and that's a full 9° above normal for this time of year – it's far warmer than average, so you'll feel that difference.

Let's be straight with you: the first week is a tough slog. We've got a real gap here with no good surf on offer right through until early Thursday morning on the 13th of August. The swell is tiny, the wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the energy is weak. For example, Tuesday morning the 11th has a 2ft swell from the south-west with a moderate cross breeze and a combined energy of just 179 – that's weak stuff. Wednesday the 12th is even worse, with a 1ft swell in the morning and energy down to 51. You're better off doing something else.

Thursday morning the 13th of August is our first real glimmer of hope. Early on, we get glassy conditions with a light offshore wind from the WSW at just 3 mph. The swell is only 2ft but it's a long-period groundswell from the south-west with a period of 16 seconds – that's proper energy. The combined energy is moderate at 395. This is a point break, so the long period suits it. It's inconsistent and an advanced wave, so it's not for everyone, but if you're skilled and patient, the morning could deliver a few clean, lined-up runners. The afternoon, however, gets choppy again with a cross-onshore wind, so time it right.

Friday morning the 14th of August sees a jump in size with 5ft from the south-west, but the wind is a cross-shore at 12 mph, creating a cross-chop and a score of 2 out of 10. The combined energy is strong at 1336, but the conditions are marginal. The crowd factor is listed as "sometimes," so you might have some company. It's a standout for size, but the wind is a real caveat. Saturday the 15th holds similar 4ft swell but with gentler cross-shore winds and a combined energy of 888 – still moderate energy. Again, the morning might be your best bet, but it's still marginal.

After that, from Sunday the 16th through to the end of the 16-day window, it's mostly a grind. The swell drops back to 1ft to 4ft, the wind is often cross or cross-onshore, and the combined energy is weak to moderate. Tuesday morning the 18th of August has a 5ft swell with a 16-second period and a light cross-shore wind, giving a combined energy of 893 – that's a moderate pulse – but it's still only a 2 out of 10 due to tide and conditions. The long period and moderate energy could make for some interesting sets on the point, but it's inconsistent and difficult.

Overall, the best bet in this 16-day window is the Thursday morning the 13th of August for clean, glassy conditions and a long-period swell, even though it's small. If you're after bigger, more powerful waves, the Friday morning the 14th of August has size, but you'll be dealing with a cross-chop. Keep your expectations in check.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
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
2
0
2
2
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SW
13
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.4
SW
12
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SW
20
0.6
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
1.5
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.3
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
1.1
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
176
306
353
51
134
147
203
303
1124
1312
931
897
820
757
598
459
410
410
242
506
765
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
25
SW
15
SSW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
SSW
5
WSW
20
WSW
20
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
20
WSW
15
SW
15
SW
15
WSW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:26PM2.41m
3:09AM2.56m
3:20PM2.53m
3:57AM2.70m
4:09PM2.61m
4:41AM2.79m
4:55PM2.63m
5:23AM2.80m
5:39PM2.60m
6:03AM2.74m
6:22PM2.50m
6:42AM2.61m
7:05PM2.37m
Low Tide
8:46PM0.16m
9:17AM0.38m
9:36PM0.05m
10:06AM0.26m
10:22PM0.01m
10:52AM0.19m
11:05PM0.03m
11:35AM0.17m
11:47PM0.12m
12:17PM0.21m
00:28AM0.26m
12:58PM0.30m
1:08AM0.43m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
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part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:29
 mm
Temp °C
27
26
24
27
26
25
27
26
25
27
26
24
27
26
24
25
25
24
26
25
24
Feels °C
27
25
25
28
26
27
28
26
26
27
25
23
27
25
23
25
25
25
27
26
26
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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