
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 24s period, SW swell with 349 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 (Jul 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 0.6m 24s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 12s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 24s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for San Mateo over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the first week is a bit of a grind. We’ve got some swell in the water, but the wind is just not playing ball. A lot of cross-shore and cross-onshore breezes are going to keep things choppy and messy. We’re looking at a lot of “poor surf conditions” days, so don’t expect any magic right off the bat. The water is a whopping 80°F and that’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a nice bonus if you’re just getting wet.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday, July 23rd in the morning. San Mateo is a point break, so it handles a longer period swell well. We’ve got 3ft of SW swell with a 9-second period, but the real kicker is the wind: it’s glassy. That’s a major positive. The combined energy is moderate at 281. It’s an inconsistent break, so you’ll be waiting for sets, but when they come, it’ll be clean. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.
The next standout is a bit further out, but it looks promising. On Wednesday, July 29th in the morning, we’ve got another glassy session. The swell is 3ft from the SW with a 15-second period, which is a nice long-period groundswell. That longer period gives the waves more shape and energy, and for a point break like San Mateo, that’s a great combination. The combined energy is strong at 623. This is the best on offer across the whole run, but it’s still a week and a half away, so keep an eye on the forecasts.
In between those two glassy windows, the surf is mostly marginal with questionable conditions. The wind is often onshore or cross-shore, making it choppy. For the second week, from the 24th onward, the swell sizes pick up a bit, with some 3ft to 4ft days, but the wind is still a problem. The morning of Saturday, July 26th has clean cross-offshore winds, with 3ft of SW swell and a 17-second period, and the combined energy is very strong at 983. That’s a heavy one, but the afternoon turns into a lumpy mess. It’s a spot for those who are keen on the long period, but the wind window is tight.
So, in short: the first week is mostly a write-off for clean waves. The two true standouts are Thursday, July 23rd morning and Wednesday, July 29th morning – both glassy and offering clean, rideable waves. The rest of the time, it’s a fight against the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
141 | 347 | 336 | 326 | 43 | 31 | 212 | 114 | 103 | 49 | 47 | 159 | 167 | 214 | 153 | 242 | 239 | 203 | 155 | 56 | 110 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:11PM2.62m | 5:48AM2.77m | 6:01PM2.56m | 6:34AM2.73m | 6:49PM2.46m | 7:19AM2.63m | 7:38PM2.33m | 8:04AM2.48m | 8:29PM2.18m | 8:50AM2.31m | 9:23PM2.03m | 9:39AM2.15m | 10:24PM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:10AM0.25m | 11:26PM-0.03m | 11:59AM0.26m | 00:13AM0.07m | 12:47PM0.30m | 00:58AM0.21m | 1:35PM0.38m | 1:44AM0.39m | 2:23PM0.48m | 2:32AM0.59m | 3:13PM0.59m | 3:23AM0.76m | 4:08PM0.67m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 7 | SW 7 |
211 | 347 | 336 | 326 | 295 | 286 | 212 | 114 | 167 | 152 | 152 | 93 | 167 | 214 | 153 | 242 | 239 | 203 | 155 | 106 | 99 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | N 6 | NW 10 | N 6 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | WNW 21 | SSW 11 | NW 19 | NW 19 | WNW 18 | NW 18 | SSW 11 | SW 11 |
141 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 57 | 44 | 103 | 49 | 47 | 159 | 34 | 42 | 84 | 95 | 93 | 65 | 83 | 78 | 110 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | NW 11 | N 5 | SW 21 | N 6 | W 17 | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | NW 14 | WSW 13 | WNW 21 | NW 14 | SW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WSW 12 | NW 17 |
1 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 8 | 19 | 8 | 17 | 42 | 8 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 56 | 75 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — |
15 | 24 | 23 | 37 | 43 | 31 | 26 | 34 | 35 | 23 | 45 | 64 | 211 | 330 | 23 | 46 | 65 | 65 | 69 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 912 | 214 | 11 | 141 | 7 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 916 | 141 | 7 | 1055 | 348 | 48 | 139 | 111 | 11 | 820 | 139 |
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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.










