San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 31 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
26.9° 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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with 653 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 7th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 17s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 7th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 7th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at San Mateo are looking like a real test of patience. It’s a point break, exposed to the NW but getting hammered by a persistent SW wind, which is just about the worst direction for keeping things clean. Most of this period is a write-off with cross and cross-onshore winds messing up what little swell there is. The combined energy is all over the place, but when it’s there, the wind just ruins it. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions, but there is one light at the end of the tunnel.

The water is hanging around 80°F which is a massive 9°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a real anomaly, feels like a bathtub out there.

We kick off on Friday the 31st of July with a tiny 3ft SW swell at 13 seconds, but 12 mph cross-on SW wind makes it a total choppy mess. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August aren't any better – smaller waves, still cross winds. The whole first week is a blur of marginal surf and poor conditions. The wind just doesn’t let up.

Then, out of nowhere, on Friday morning, August 7th, we finally get a window. The wind drops to absolute glass – 0 mph, dead calm. The swell is 3ft from the SW with a very long period of 16 seconds, so it’s real groundswell energy. The combined energy is a solid 520 (moderate). This is the standout. For a point break like San Mateo, that long period will wrap in beautifully, giving you clean, lined-up waves. It’s inconsistent here, so don’t expect a barrage, but the ones that come through will be perfect. The morning is the only time to be in the water though, because by Friday afternoon the wind swings back cross-on at 9 mph and it’s all over.

After that, it’s back to the grind. Saturday the 8th through the rest of the forecast is just more of the same – cross-shore wind, onshore wind, and blown-out conditions. There are a few mornings with lighter winds, like the 12th of August, but the wind is still cross-shore, and the swell is mixed up. Nothing comes close to that Friday morning glass-off.

So here’s the deal: you’ve got a long, frustrating gap of poor surf, then one real moment of magic on the morning of August 7th. Set your alarms, that’s the one to chase.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Fri
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
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)
0.9
SW
13
0.8
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
0.5
SW
15
0.6
WSW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.9
SW
10
0.5
SW
12
0.9
SW
7
0.4
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.8
SW
12
0.8
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
273
207
137
132
109
142
164
144
140
134
160
72
69
66
128
132
147
246
181
362
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
15
SW
15
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
10
SSW
20
SW
20
SSW
10
SSW
20
SW
15
SW
10
SSW
15
WSW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
5:01PM2.35m
5:31AM2.49m
5:37PM2.35m
6:03AM2.51m
6:13PM2.32m
6:36AM2.50m
6:52PM2.27m
7:12AM2.46m
7:35PM2.20m
7:53AM2.39m
8:24PM2.12m
8:42AM2.30m
9:24PM2.04m
Low Tide
11:13PM0.28m
11:38AM0.48m
11:46PM0.31m
12:14PM0.46m
00:20AM0.37m
12:50PM0.45m
00:56AM0.44m
1:30PM0.47m
1:36AM0.54m
2:16PM0.50m
2:25AM0.64m
3:11PM0.54m
3:24AM0.74m
clear
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rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
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clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
6:30
 mm
3
Temp °C
26
25
27
26
25
26
26
24
26
26
24
26
26
24
26
26
25
27
26
25
Feels °C
26
27
28
26
26
26
26
24
27
26
24
28
26
25
28
27
27
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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