
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 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 folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for San Mateo.
The outlook is a bit of a struggle for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a long stretch of marginal to poor conditions, with a window of cleaner surf that finally shows up about a week and a half from now. The water is running a whopping 9° warmer than usual for this time of year, so the water temp is around 81° – that’s very unusual, like swimming in a bath.
The first real chance to get wet is Sunday, September 6th in the morning. San Mateo is a point break that’s inconsistent, and it’s exposed to the NW, but we’ve got a SW swell coming in at 4ft with a 14-second period. That’s a long-period groundswell, which is great for a point break – it’ll wrap in with some proper shape. The combined energy is moderate (684). The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the SSW at 9 mph, which will keep things a little bumpy with a slight cross-chop. It’s not pristine, but it’s the best of a pretty average bunch for the first week. The crowds are sometimes a problem here, so you might have a few others out. The afternoon on Sunday turns to junk with a cross-onshore wind, so get your session in early.
The rest of the first week into the second week is pretty grim. Monday morning, September 7th, has a bit of swell but it’s crossed up. Tuesday to Friday sees the swell dropping and the wind staying cross or cross-on, making for choppy, poor surf. The swell energy dips into the low hundreds (202) by Saturday, September 12th. There’s a real gap of poor surf from Sunday afternoon, September 6th, right through to the middle of the following week.
The standout is Wednesday morning, September 16th. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell is only 3ft from the SW, but the period is a solid 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSW at 6 mph, which will make for clean, glassy lines. The combined energy is moderate (304). For a point break, that offshore wind and long period will make for some really fun, peeling waves. It’s the cleanest forecast in the entire 16-day window. The downside is it’s inconsistent, so you might have to wait for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it.
After that, we’re back to poor conditions. Thursday the 17th through the end of the forecast period on Monday, September 21st, is a mix of poor surf, stronger winds, and tiny swell. The morning of September 21st has a glimmer of marginal surf, but it’s not worth getting excited about.
So, the call is: get on it early Sunday morning, September 6th, for some average but surfable waves, or wait for that clean, glassy window on Wednesday morning, September 16th. That’s your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | 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 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
632 | 492 | 340 | 330 | 330 | 318 | 352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:46AM2.06m | 11:52PM2.06m | 12:10PM2.10m | 1:06AM2.22m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:20PM0.59m | 6:02AM0.81m | 6:37PM0.51m | 7:16AM0.67m | 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 | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | 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 |
632 | 492 | 340 | 330 | 330 | 269 | 352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | WNW 10 | SW 16 |
9 | 8 | 13 | 199 | 304 | 318 | 9 | 139 | 184 | 261 | 375 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 60 | 62 | 55 | 55 | 20 | 42 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | — | WNW 11 | — | SW 20 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 11 | WSW 21 | WNW 10 |
18 | 68 | 184 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 5 | 20 | 35 | 34 | 31 | — | 22 | — | 15 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 45 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | SSW 8 |
25 | 21 | — | — | — | — | 205 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 46 | 43 | 49 | 58 | 59 | — | — | — | — | 78 | 93 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 815 | 46 | 7 | 141 | 7 | 7 | 938 | 11 | 7 | 1050 | 310 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 938 | 230 | 7 | 912 | 377 |
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.










