
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 929 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s 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 (Sep 11) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s 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 1.3m 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me level with you. San Mateo is having a tough time in this 16-day stretch. It’s an advanced point break that’s inconsistent and really wants a good NW swell to show its best. What we’re seeing is a whole lot of SW swell, and the wind is usually cross or cross-onshore, which just doesn’t do it justice. The first record kicks off on Monday, 7 September, but you’re not going to be rushing out for a while.
The big picture is a persistent SW swell running from about 1ft to 4ft, but the wind is almost always cross-onshore, leaving the surface choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate, sometimes hitting the 700s and 800s, so there’s some power, but it’s not clean. The one little highlight is the morning of Thursday, 10 September. You’ve got a 4ft SW swell with a solid 16-second period, and a gentle cross-shore breeze – that’s the best you’ll see here. The energy is moderate (790), and the long period will give those waves some grind, but on a point break it might make them run a bit straight, so you’ll need to be sharp. This is an advanced spot that’s inconsistent, so it’s for the locals who know the takeoffs. Crowds pop up sometimes, so you might have some company.
After that, it tails off. The mornings on 11, 14, and 15 September give you light cross-shore wind with tiny, marginal surf – think 2ft to 3ft with periods around 14-18 seconds. The energy drops hard on 12 and 13 September with tiny swell and cross-onshore winds, so skip those. There’s a long gap where afternoons are consistently poor and mornings just tease with low-score, marginal conditions.
In the second week, from 16 September, it’s a real slog. Swell stays small, under 3ft, with period dropping to 12-13 seconds. Energy is weak to moderate (under 400). The morning of 19 September has a faint pulse of 2ft with a 17-second period and light cross-shore wind, which might give a few long, slow lines for the patient surfer. The water temp on that first Monday was a very unusual 81°, which is way warmer than normal for the time of year, so you might be surfing in trunks.
Best bet: that Thursday morning (10 September). It’s not epic, but it’s your cleanest shot. The rest? Keep your expectations low.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | 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 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
330 | 318 | 352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 929 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 131 | 130 | 108 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:06AM2.22m | 1:21PM2.23m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:37PM0.51m | 7:16AM0.67m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 30 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | 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 |
330 | 228 | 352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 929 | 728 | 719 | 492 | 404 | 398 | 285 | 173 | 171 | 168 | 95 | 92 | 69 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
304 | 318 | 139 | 139 | 184 | 261 | 375 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 65 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 20 | 10 | 131 | 130 | 108 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | — | — | — | SW 20 | WNW 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 21 | WSW 21 | SW 16 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 |
22 | 20 | 9 | 20 | 35 | 34 | 31 | — | — | — | 15 | 20 | 14 | 49 | 18 | 45 | 42 | 11 | 11 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | — | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 |
— | 3 | 20 | 35 | 49 | 62 | 67 | 43 | 32 | 38 | 54 | — | 64 | 62 | 52 | 86 | 81 | 64 | 58 | 61 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 766 | 111 | 11 | 912 | 102 | 102 | 1050 | 141 | 141 | 913 | 7 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 912 | 111 | 102 | 141 | 334 |
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.










