Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (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, 4AM (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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period. 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (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 folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. The outlook for San Mateo over the next couple of weeks is a bit of a waiting game. We’ve got a long stretch of messy, onshore or cross-shore conditions that are going to keep things pretty average, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you’re patient.
The first solid chance to get wet doesn't really show up until nearly two weeks out. Most of the days from now through to the 21st of September are plagued by a persistent cross to cross-onshore wind, making the surface choppy and the waves a bit of a battle. The swell is coming from the Southwest, running between 1ft and 4ft, but the direction is blowing straight across the face, and the wind state is just not cooperating. You’ll see wave energy in the moderate range, but with the wind ruining the shape, it’s just not worth the paddle.
The standout window, and really the only true highlight, is on Tuesday, the 22nd of September. The morning session is our best bet. The forecast shows a clean-looking window with a light cross-offshore breeze from the South. The swell is still coming from the Southwest at 2ft, with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a nice, long-period groundswell, which will bring in some real energy and shape, though it might be a bit straight for a beach break, but at a point break like San Mateo, this should be excellent. The wind will be light and clean, making for a much better, less bumpy surface. The water is far warmer than normal, sitting at a balmy 81°F, which is a real treat for this time of year. After that morning clean-up, the afternoon turns back to cross-onshore chop, so make the most of the morning.
Outside of that Tuesday morning, the rest of the forecast is a write-off. The waves are either too small, too weak, or too wind-affected to bother with. The 1ft to 2ft stuff we see in the second week is just not going to offer any power or shape for a decent ride. If you’re desperate to get out, the gentler breezes on the morning of the 18th or 19th might offer semi-rideable conditions, but it’s a gamble.
Overall, keep your board waxed for the 22nd of September morning. That’s the one to circle. The rest of the window is a write-off.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 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 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 131 | 131 | 111 | 197 | 206 | 432 | 366 | 427 | 462 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 6:04AM2.53m | 6:31PM2.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:19PM0.26m | 00:33AM0.48m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 95 | 90 | 69 | 197 | 206 | 432 | 366 | 427 | 462 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 7 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | NW 11 | NW 12 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 6 | SW 13 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 261 | 375 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 65 | 67 | 67 | 56 | 29 | 35 | 42 | 131 | 131 | 111 | 47 | 43 | 18 | 20 | 84 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | NW 11 | — | — | — | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 21 | WSW 21 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 10 | W 11 |
| kJ | 34 | 31 | — | — | — | 28 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 18 | 45 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 54 | 28 | 61 | 16 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 6 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 134 | 150 | 91 | 51 | 58 | — | — | — | — | 69 | 32 | 47 | 68 | 67 | 59 | 43 | 49 | 33 | — | 24 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 102 | 920 | 141 | 48 | 930 | 7 | 7 | 848 | 11 | 141 | 912 | 102 | 102 | 805 | 221 | 11 | 920 | 141 | 141 | 141 | 7 |
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.
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