San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
27.0°C
4.9° 

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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,437 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s 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 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 4th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks. We've got a long window ahead, but it ain't gonna be all glory.

The overall pattern for the region is a drawn-out, marginal affair, with a whole lot of "meh" before we get a sniff of something decent. The water temp is running a very unusual 81°, which is 9° warmer than normal for this time of year—that's a standout detail, very unusual.

The first hint of any kind of worthwhile surf doesn't roll in until Saturday morning, August 29th, at San Mateo. Even then, it's a marginal call. We're looking at a 5 ft SW swell with a period of 16 seconds, so that's a proper groundswell with long gaps between sets. The energy is moderate (1093), but the wind is a cross-shore breeze from the SSW at 9 mph, which will keep things a touch lumpy. It's not a write-off, but it's not firing either.

After that, things turn pretty bleak. From Sunday the 30th all the way through to the morning of Thursday, September 3rd, it's a real slog. A lot of small 3 ft to 4 ft SW swells with short periods (12-14 seconds) and mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds. This stretch is straight up poor for surfing.

We finally get a slight nudge upwards starting Thursday morning, September 3rd. The swell bumps to 4 ft but with a longer period of 18 seconds, and the wind goes very light from the SW (3 mph). It's still described as marginal, but it's the first time the conditions start to hint at something halfway clean. The energy sits at 772.

The standout window, and the one you want to circle on the calendar, is the morning of Thursday, September 10th. That morning at San Mateo, we get a very light offshore breeze from the S at just 3 mph, making for clean conditions. The swell is a modest 4 ft from the SW, but with a solid 15-second period, it’ll pack a punch. The forecaster is calling for "expect very good surf conditions," which is the only real positive call in the entire run. The energy is moderate at 807, but with that offshore wind and a decent period groundswell, this is the best bet on offer.

The only other morning that looks like it might be worth a look is Wednesday, September 9th, with a 4 ft, 16-second SW swell and a light cross-shore wind (6 mph from the SSW). It's not the standout, but it's a decent fallback.

Everything after that drops off again quickly, with small, weak swells and onshore wind dominating the second week from September 11th onwards. It's like chasing a ghost.

Hope for the morning of the 10th. Everything else is just a gamble.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
2
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
18
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
12
1
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.8
SW
12
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
17
0.9
SW
12
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SW
19
1.1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
1.6
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
871
1109
1041
911
886
588
503
431
300
286
277
200
231
290
232
248
296
758
702
1437
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
SW
5
WSW
20
WSW
10
SSW
5
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
4:01PM2.39m
4:25AM2.56m
4:37PM2.45m
4:57AM2.62m
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
Low Tide
10:10PM0.28m
10:35AM0.36m
10:43PM0.25m
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
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clear
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clear
clear
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clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:27
6:27
6:25
6:25
6:25
6:24
6:24
 mm
2
Temp °C
26
24
27
26
24
27
26
24
26
25
24
25
25
24
26
26
24
27
26
25
Feels °C
25
23
27
25
23
27
25
24
26
24
23
27
25
25
27
27
26
29
27
27
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  • 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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