Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SW swell with 631 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s 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 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 24s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 17) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
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 cooking.
To be straight with you, this stretch is a tough one. We're looking at San Mateo, a point break that's inconsistent and needs a very specific NW swell to really light up. What we've got forecast is mostly small SW swell, and it's just not the right direction for this spot. The result is a whole lot of days that are either messy or just flat. We're talking over a week of poor to marginal conditions before anything remotely rideable shows its face. The water temp is way above normal for the time of year at 81°, feels like a warm bathtub.
For the first week and a half, it's a grind. On Thursday the 17th, we get a brief window in the morning with a light cross-off breeze cleaning up the 3ft SW swell. The swell period is dropping from 15 to 13 seconds, so it's not got the same punch, and the combined energy is moderate (384). It's a small window, not a standout.
After that, it's back to onshore slop and tiny waves until Wednesday the 23rd. That morning shows another clean-up with a cross-off breeze and 2ft swell (15 second period, 226 energy), but again, it's small and very inconsistent.
Now, if you can wait, the real highlight is Saturday the 26th. The forecast is calling for a glassy morning with the swell bumping up to 4ft from the SW. The period is 13 seconds and the combined energy jumps to 561 (moderate to strong). That's the best conditions we'll see, with clean, glassy surf. It's still not the optimum NW direction for San Mateo, so the waves won't be at their absolute best, but the clean conditions will make it the most fun day of the whole outlook. This one is for the committed surfer who knows the break. For beginners, that 4ft might be a bit much, and the inconsistency of the spot means you'll be waiting.
Sunday the 27th morning also looks okay with a clean cross-off breeze and 3ft swell, but the standout is that Saturday glass-off. Given this spot rarely breaks right, that Saturday morning window is the one to circle on the calendar.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 361 | 468 | 301 | 346 | 289 | 250 | 171 | 168 | 166 | 163 | 151 | 214 | 239 | 369 | 258 | 307 | 304 | 208 | 257 | 254 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:31PM2.37m | 6:40AM2.37m | 7:10PM2.21m | 7:18AM2.19m | 7:53PM2.04m | 8:00AM2.01m | 8:46PM1.88m | 8:54AM1.86m | 9:57PM1.78m | 10:08AM1.77m | 11:24PM1.77m | 11:34AM1.77m | 00:37AM1.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:33AM0.48m | 12:57PM0.39m | 1:12AM0.64m | 1:37PM0.55m | 1:54AM0.81m | 2:25PM0.70m | 2:48AM0.96m | 3:26PM0.82m | 4:01AM1.06m | 4:45PM0.88m | 5:30AM1.07m | 6:03PM0.84m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 10 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 361 | 468 | 301 | 346 | 289 | 250 | 171 | 168 | 166 | 60 | 151 | 141 | 139 | 369 | 258 | 307 | 304 | 208 | 129 | 254 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | W 11 | SSW 9 | WSW 23 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SW 20 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 83 | 2 | 8 | 53 | 77 | 72 | 71 | 102 | 97 | 163 | 51 | 24 | 239 | 134 | 99 | 97 | 75 | 73 | 257 | 35 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | NW 16 | SW 24 | NW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | SW 20 | SW 21 | SW 21 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 25 | 10 | 22 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 97 | 72 | 214 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SW 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | — | SW 6 | — | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 47 | 42 | 17 | 40 | 46 | 46 | 43 | 31 | 43 | — | 38 | — | 29 | 46 | 21 | 27 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 913 | 7 | 102 | 912 | 111 | 0 | 916 | 11 | 141 | 1077 | 7 | 141 | 857 | 377 | 141 | 141 | 141 | 7 | 864 | 85 |
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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