San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
26.8°C
4.8° 

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 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,464 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. 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 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 2nd Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 2nd Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 4th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. This is San Mateo, a point break that’s not for the faint of heart. It’s an advanced, inconsistent wave that only breaks when it really wants to, and when it’s on, it’s a proper line-up. The water’s already running at 80°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a tropical treat.

The next couple of days are a bit of a write-off. Sunday and Monday have some swell around 3 to 4 ft from the SW, but the wind is cross or cross-on, and the wave energy is moderate (641 to 356). The surf is poor or marginal, not worth paddling out for. Tuesday is similar with small 3 ft swell and weak energy (341) – forget it.

Then Wednesday morning, 2 September, something shifts. The swell drops a little to 3 ft, but the wind goes glassy, and the energy bumps up to 498 (moderate). The guide says "expect good surf conditions," and that’s the first real window. It’s small, but clean. If you’re hanging for a wave, that’s the one to sneak in for.

Thursday morning, 3 September, is the next standout. The swell is 4 ft from the SW, period jumps to 19 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell, proper energy (875). The wind is light cross-on, and the surf is marginal due to tide, but the potential is there. For a point break, that long period will wrap in nicely, so keep an eye on the tide.

Friday morning, 4 September, is the best of the whole run. Swell hits 6 ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and the energy is strong at 1501. The wind is cross-shore, not perfect, but the size and power are there. This is for advanced surfers only – it’s going to be a solid, thumping wave at San Mateo. Saturday morning is similar, 5 ft with 1140 energy, still clean enough but a bit more wind.

After that, the swell fades through the second week. Sunday 6 September through to the 14th sees swell dropping back to 2 to 4 ft, with periods varying from 13 to 19 seconds, but the wind stays cross or cross-on, and the energy is weak to moderate. Most days are marginal or poor. The only possible morning to check is Thursday 10 September with 4 ft, 16-second period, light cross wind and moderate energy (873), but it’s still marginal.

Overall, the standout is Friday morning, 4 September – 6 ft, SW groundswell, strong energy, for advanced surfers only. The earlier glassy window on Wednesday 2 September is the sneaky clean day for small-wave crew. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
2
2
0
2
3
1
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)
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.8
SW
12
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
17
1
SW
12
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SW
19
1.1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
1.5
SW
17
1.7
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.4
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
588
503
431
300
286
240
200
235
290
273
248
296
758
702
1312
1464
1314
1281
936
1108
813
Wind (km/h)
25
SSW
25
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
15
SSW
10
WSW
20
WSW
15
SSW
5
SW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
5:12PM2.48m
5:30AM2.63m
5:49PM2.46m
6:05AM2.60m
6:28PM2.40m
6:43AM2.52m
7:12PM2.31m
7:26AM2.40m
8:03PM2.18m
8:18AM2.26m
9:06PM2.07m
9:24AM2.12m
10:26PM2.01m
Low Tide
11:09AM0.29m
11:17PM0.26m
11:44AM0.25m
11:53PM0.31m
12:21PM0.26m
00:31AM0.39m
1:02PM0.31m
1:14AM0.50m
1:49PM0.40m
2:05AM0.64m
2:46PM0.51m
3:10AM0.77m
3:58PM0.59m
part cloud
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rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
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part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:25
6:25
6:25
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:23
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
26
26
24
26
25
24
26
25
24
26
26
24
26
26
24
27
26
24
26
26
24
Feels °C
25
25
25
25
24
24
27
25
25
27
27
26
28
26
24
28
25
25
27
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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