
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7AM (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, 7AM (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 7AM. 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 1.2m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (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 have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Alright, I’ll be straight with you – the 16-day window is a bit of a flat spell for surf. We’ve got a long gap of poor conditions ahead. For San Mateo (San-Mateo) there’s no real green light for a proper session. The water is an absolute bath at 81°, a full 9° warmer than usual, which is far warmer than normal for this time of year – you might not even need a wetsuit.
The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday afternoon the 8th has some knee-to-waist-high 3 ft swell from the SW, but with a 15-second period that’s a long groundswell. The issue is a 16 mph cross-onshore wind and a combined energy reading of 585 (moderate). It’s just choppy and messy – poor surf conditions.
Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th offer a tiny window early. On Thursday morning the 10th there’s 4 ft of SW swell with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is light and cross at 6 mph. The combined energy is a moderate 758. The forecast calls it marginal, and the tide might mess with it. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s not a standout.
Honestly, from the 11th right through to the 23rd, the story is the same: small SW swell, mostly under 3 ft, with persistent cross or cross-onshore winds that keep the surface choppy or messy. The combined energy readings hover around the 200-400 range (weak to moderate), and the scores back that up. There are no clean, glassy windows and no standout days.
If you’re desperate for a paddle, the mornings of the 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd of September show a glimmer with light winds, but the swell is small and the reports are marginal. Don’t get your hopes up. For experts, the tiny size and short period won’t offer much. Beginners might find the small stuff manageable, but the wind won’t help.
This is a classic blank run for the area – it’s not unusual to see a stretch like this. Forecasts can change, but right now, there are no true standouts to get excited about. Keep an eye on the sky.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 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 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 131 | 131 | 111 | 252 | 206 | 432 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:04AM2.41m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:06AM0.12m | 11:19PM0.22m | 11:43AM0.17m | 11:56PM0.33m | |||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 831 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 95 | 90 | 50 | 252 | 206 | 432 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | NW 11 | SW 8 | SW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 11 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 6 |
139 | 184 | 261 | 375 | 67 | 51 | 29 | 59 | 65 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 42 | 131 | 131 | 111 | 47 | 43 | 40 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | — | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 21 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WSW 15 | SW 11 |
20 | 35 | 34 | 31 | 30 | 30 | — | 28 | 26 | 14 | 49 | 12 | 45 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — |
36 | 53 | 107 | 116 | — | — | 51 | — | — | 69 | 65 | 80 | 34 | 49 | 71 | 85 | 55 | 53 | 51 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 912 | 185 | 138 | 920 | 79 | 141 | 141 | 7 | 7 | 141 | 7 | 377 | 912 | 111 | 11 | 1012 | 7 | 7 | 912 | 141 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Manabi | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ecuador | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










