San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
26.6°C
4.5° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,537 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.9m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 4th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 4th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 4th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store for San Mateo over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, there’s nothing doing, so we’re waiting until Wednesday morning, September 2nd, for the first real shot. That morning is a total wild card – the water is a crazy 80°, running 8° warmer than normal for this time of year. It’s like the ocean forgot what season it is. The swell is small at 2ft from the SW, but it’s carrying a very long 17-second period. The wind? Dead calm. Absolutely glassy. It’ll be clean as a whistle, but the total energy is weak at 389. This is a point that doesn’t break often, so you’ll be waiting for those long-period sets, but when they roll in, they’ll have some shape. Crowds can show up sometimes, but it’s a tricky one to call. This is your only real standout window – a rare, glassy morning with some potential.

From Wednesday afternoon on, the wind swings around and gets onshore, turning things choppy. Thursday morning, September 3rd, brings a bump to 4ft swell with an 18-second period and energy climbing to 773, but a cross wind from the SSW chops it up. It’s marginal. Friday, September 4th, hits 5ft in the morning with a 16-second period, pushing energy to a solid 1165 – that’s real power. But that cross wind is still there, making it hard to find a clean face.

The weekend stays messy, with 4ft to 5ft but crossed up and eventually choppy. By the second week, from around September 8th onward, the swell drops fast. Most mornings are knee-high junk with short periods, and the wind never really cleans up. Energy stays below 400 for most days – weak stuff. The last couple days, like September 16th and 17th, you’re looking at 1ft to 2ft dribble with some very long-period lines that just don’t have the push to do anything.

Honestly, that Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is the only real highlight. After that, it’s a long stretch of forgettable surf. If you can’t make that window, you’re in for a wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
2
0
3
3
0
2
2
1
1
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
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)
0.6
SW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SW
19
1.1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
1.5
SW
17
1.5
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.7
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
1.1
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
222
248
296
758
702
1312
1123
1314
1068
1108
1108
813
706
492
340
330
304
318
352
390
525
Wind (km/h)
0
N
20
W
15
SW
15
SSW
25
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
25
WSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
SW
20
WSW
15
SSW
5
WSW
20
WSW
15
SSW
15
SW
25
SW
20
SSW
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
7:12PM2.31m
7:26AM2.40m
8:03PM2.18m
8:18AM2.26m
9:06PM2.07m
9:24AM2.12m
10:26PM2.01m
10:46AM2.06m
11:52PM2.06m
12:10PM2.10m
1:06AM2.22m
1:21PM2.23m
2:04AM2.41m
Low Tide
1:02PM0.31m
1:14AM0.50m
1:49PM0.40m
2:05AM0.64m
2:46PM0.51m
3:10AM0.77m
3:58PM0.59m
4:33AM0.85m
5:20PM0.59m
6:02AM0.81m
6:37PM0.51m
7:16AM0.67m
7:40PM0.37m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:22
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
26
26
25
27
27
25
27
26
25
27
27
24
27
26
25
26
27
25
27
26
24
Feels °C
30
27
26
29
27
26
27
26
26
27
28
26
28
26
27
29
28
27
29
25
24
  • 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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