
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SW swell with 831 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at San Mateo.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a proper session, the next couple of weeks are going to be a test of patience. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak, and choppy conditions. The water is absolutely roasting, sitting at 81°F, which is way warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a tropical bath out there.
The first real nod comes on Thursday morning, September 10th. The swell is a modest 4ft from the SW, with a period of 16 seconds, so there’s some decent push behind it. The combined energy is moderate at 780. The wind is light and cross-shore, which will keep things clean. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s the best you’re going to get in this window. The break is a point, so that long-period energy (16s) should wrap in nicely. It’s an advanced spot, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but the quality is there when it comes.
After that, the rest of the 16-day run is a bit of a grind. The mornings are your best bet because the wind is lighter, but the swell drops off quickly. From Friday, September 11th through to the end of the forecast on September 23rd, the surf is mostly a washout. The wind swings cross-on and gets choppy most afternoons, and the swell size stays small, between 1ft and 3ft. The energy levels drop into the weak to moderate range (values between 212 and 434). There are a few mornings with light winds and a cross-shore breeze, but the wave height is just too small to get excited about.
The standout for the whole period is that Thursday morning, September 10th. It’s not huge, but it’s the only time you get a clean, lined-up point break with a workable swell. After that, the forecast is a long, quiet run. Crowds are possible here, but with the surf being so inconsistent, you might have it to yourself.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 346 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 131 | 131 | 109 | 199 | 206 | 432 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:21PM2.23m | 2:04AM2.41m | 2:19PM2.38m | 2:53AM2.58m | 3:09PM2.51m | 3:36AM2.71m | 3:53PM2.59m | 4:15AM2.76m | 4:35PM2.62m | 4:53AM2.75m | 5:14PM2.59m | 5:29AM2.67m | 5:53PM2.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:40PM0.37m | 8:15AM0.49m | 8:33PM0.25m | 9:05AM0.33m | 9:19PM0.16m | 9:48AM0.20m | 10:01PM0.12m | 10:28AM0.13m | 10:41PM0.14m | 11:06AM0.12m | 11:19PM0.22m | 11:43AM0.17m | 11:56PM0.33m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 346 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 95 | 92 | 69 | 199 | 206 | 432 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 7 | SW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 6 |
139 | 139 | 184 | 261 | 375 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 56 | 65 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 42 | 131 | 131 | 109 | 47 | 43 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | — | NW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 21 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WSW 15 | SW 11 |
9 | 20 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 24 | 22 | — | 28 | 20 | 14 | 49 | 12 | 45 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — |
20 | 39 | 65 | 91 | 82 | 52 | 47 | 49 | — | — | 65 | 67 | 69 | 74 | 53 | 64 | 80 | 70 | 44 | 52 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 912 | 102 | 138 | 920 | 141 | 141 | 912 | 7 | 7 | 141 | 7 | 7 | 912 | 111 | 102 | 912 | 181 | 7 | 916 | 221 |
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.










