Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,552 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s 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 (Aug 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s 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 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cooking at San Mateo.
Alright, let's be real for a sec. The next week and a half is a bit of a write-off. We're looking at a long stretch of nothing special, with a few tiny windows that might be worth a paddle if you're desperate. The water is running at a toasty 80°F, which is a massive 8°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that's very unusual, so you can leave the wetsuit at home.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday morning, September 3rd. The wind is forecast to be glassy, which is a massive positive, and we'll see a 4ft swell rolling in from the southwest with a long 19-second period. That's proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy reading is a solid 798. This is a point break, so that long-period swell should wrap in nicely. This is the standout of the whole outlook, no question. It’s a point break, so it’s best for advanced surfers, especially with that size. It's inconsistent here, so don't expect a wave every minute, but when they come, they'll be worth it. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so get in early.
The following days show a bit more size. Friday, September 4th, has a 5ft swell from the southwest, period 16 seconds, and combined energy over 1200, but the wind is cross-shore, making for a lumpy surface. It's a step down in quality from that Thursday morning. Saturday, September 5th, drops a touch in size to 4ft, and the wind stays messy. The surf picks up again into the second week, with Tuesday, September 8th showing a promising 5ft swell from the SW with an 18-second period and a huge combined energy of 1576. But again, the wind is cross-shore, and the conditions are rated as marginal. That's a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it's promising.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The only real standout is that glassy Thursday morning, September 3rd. If you can't make that, the following week offers more size but less quality, with Tuesday the 8th looking like the next best bet from a distance.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the S by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
219 | 165 | 161 | 145 | 76 | 74 | 57 | 51 | 111 | 169 | 163 | 253 | 465 | 871 | 1109 | 1041 | 924 | 886 | 588 | 503 | 431 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 1:14PM1.92m | 2:05AM2.01m | 2:05PM2.04m | 2:45AM2.16m | 2:47PM2.17m | 3:21AM2.32m | 3:25PM2.29m | 3:53AM2.45m | 4:01PM2.39m | 4:25AM2.56m | 4:37PM2.45m | 4:57AM2.62m | 5:12PM2.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:39PM0.66m | 8:05AM0.85m | 8:23PM0.54m | 8:48AM0.71m | 9:02PM0.43m | 9:26AM0.58m | 9:37PM0.34m | 10:01AM0.46m | 10:10PM0.28m | 10:35AM0.36m | 10:43PM0.25m | 11:09AM0.29m | 11:17PM0.26m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
219 | 165 | 161 | 145 | 76 | 74 | 49 | 51 | 25 | 169 | 163 | 253 | 465 | 871 | 1109 | 1041 | 924 | 886 | 588 | 503 | 431 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 5 | SW 21 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 13 | WNW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 | SW 20 |
21 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 51 | 111 | 14 | 116 | 173 | 171 | 83 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | NW 15 | NW 14 | WSW 10 | SSW 10 | WNW 13 | SW 19 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 14 | SW 10 | WNW 13 | — | — | — | W 18 | — | SW 20 | NW 10 |
5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 57 | 14 | 33 | 13 | 12 | 97 | 15 | 17 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 15 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 8 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 5 |
41 | 57 | 39 | 49 | 65 | 46 | 32 | 32 | — | — | 19 | 15 | 6 | 44 | 12 | 18 | 33 | 27 | 39 | 53 | 42 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 912 | 111 | 102 | 938 | 7 | 7 | 857 | 141 | 133 | 857 | 141 | 11 | 857 | 111 | 141 | 912 | 310 | 11 | 1050 | 111 |
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.











