Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,297 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for San Mateo.
Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak start. We’ve got a solid stretch of poor surf conditions that’s gonna last nearly two weeks. The first recommendation isn't until Thursday, September 3rd, so get ready for a long dry spell. From Saturday, August 22nd right through to Wednesday, September 2nd, the waves are mostly small, weak, and messy. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate at best, hitting only 216 on the first morning and dropping into triple and even double digits (96) midweek. The wind is almost always cross or cross-onshore, and it’s choppy. There’s just nothing worth paddling out for.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday morning, September 3rd. That’s our standout. San Mateo is a point break and it’s exposed to the northwest, but the swell is coming from the southwest at 4 ft, with a very long period of 20 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, with the combined energy reading a strong 1289. What makes it special is the wind: glassy. Dead flat, no wind ripples. The water temp is 80°, which is a whopping 8° warmer than normal, so it’s much warmer than usual for this time of year. The setup looks excellent for experienced surfers, which is good because San Mateo is an advanced wave and it’s inconsistent, so you need to be on your game. Crowds are possible here, so get there early. The long period means the sets will be well-spaced, making the paddle out a bit easier, and it should really wrap nicely around the point.
After that, the surf holds some size but the quality drops off. Friday morning September 4th has 6 ft from the southwest with a 17-second period, and combined energy hits a massive 2142, but the wind is cross-shore with a slight chop. It’s marginal at best, and the afternoon goes to rubbish again with cross-onshore wind. The swell stays above 5 ft for a few days, which is a bit much for beginners, and by Saturday morning September 5th it’s down to 5 ft with light cross-shore winds and a combined energy of 1159. Still some size and energy, but nothing like that glassy Thursday morning.
So if you’re after the best of the bunch, circle Thursday September 3rd on the calendar. That morning at San Mateo is the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 116 | 85 | 129 | 208 | 203 | 192 | 219 | 165 | 161 | 145 | 76 | 74 | 57 | 51 | 111 | 169 | 163 | 388 | 528 | 985 | 1109 |
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 | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:52AM1.84m | 00:04AM1.78m | 12:09PM1.84m | 1:13AM1.87m | 1:14PM1.92m | 2:05AM2.01m | 2:05PM2.04m | 2:45AM2.16m | 2:47PM2.17m | 3:21AM2.32m | 3:25PM2.29m | 3:53AM2.45m | 4:01PM2.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:31PM0.82m | 6:02AM1.04m | 6:42PM0.77m | 7:12AM0.97m | 7:39PM0.66m | 8:05AM0.85m | 8:23PM0.54m | 8:48AM0.71m | 9:02PM0.43m | 9:26AM0.58m | 9:37PM0.34m | 10:01AM0.46m | 10:10PM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 116 | 85 | 82 | 208 | 203 | 192 | 28 | 165 | 161 | 145 | 76 | 74 | 49 | 51 | 24 | 169 | 163 | 388 | 528 | 985 | 1109 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 5 | SW 21 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 23 | 60 | 129 | 52 | 50 | 35 | 219 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 51 | 111 | 14 | 116 | 125 | 212 | 80 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | NW 13 | NW 8 | NW 12 | SW 15 | NW 12 | SW 12 | NW 15 | NW 14 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WNW 13 | SW 19 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 17 | WNW 13 | SW 8 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 61 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 57 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 173 | 16 | 11 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | — | SW 6 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 39 | 60 | 40 | 29 | 31 | 23 | — | 33 | 14 | 29 | 39 | 29 | 30 | 31 | — | — | 18 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 18 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 805 | 4 | 138 | 912 | 214 | 102 | 920 | 102 | 7 | 1077 | 141 | 7 | 815 | 141 | 141 | 857 | 7 | 7 | 1054 | 377 |
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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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