
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 24s period, SW swell with 444 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 (Jul 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 19s. 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 0.6m 24s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 24s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’ve been looking over the San Mateo forecast for the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows that will get you out there.
First up, we’re looking at a point break that’s generally inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s a treat. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The first few days are a washout. Thursday the 17th is a no-go with poor surf and a messy cross-chop. Friday the 18th morning shows a little life with a 3ft SW swell at 12 seconds and clean conditions thanks to a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (292), so it’s not a bomb, but it’s the best early call. Saturday the 19th morning drops right off to 1ft, so don’t bother.
We hit a big gap after that. From Sunday the 20th through to Tuesday the 22nd, it’s mostly poor conditions with onshore winds and chop. Nothing worth paddling out for. There’s a marginal call on Wednesday the 23rd morning with a 3ft SW swell at 7 seconds (short period, weak energy at 236), but the wind is light and cross so it’s not completely hopeless, just not great.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 24th morning has a 2ft SW swell, but the period is a very long 21 seconds – that’s groundswell energy and it’s packing strong energy (737). The wind is light and cross, so it’s clean, but that long period can make a point break like this really line up. It’s a marginal call, but worth a look for the patient surfer.
The standout is Saturday the 25th morning. Glassy conditions, 3ft SW swell with a 19-second period, and strong energy (821). This is the best on offer in the whole run. Clean, long-period groundswell hitting the point with no wind – that’s a proper session if you can get it. Only downside is the crowds are possible, so get there early.
Sunday the 26th morning bumps up to 4ft SW at 17 seconds with very strong energy (1156), but the wind is cross and it’s marginal. Afternoon gets choppy. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th mornings both have 4ft SW swell with 15-17 second periods, clean conditions, and very strong energy (1139-1258). These are solid, consistent days for the advanced crew, and the swell is over 5ft so it’s pushing into more serious territory for beginners.
The rest of the run fades out. Wednesday the 29th morning has a 3ft SW swell at 15 seconds with moderate energy (501), but it’s cross and marginal. After that, it’s a lot of poor conditions and onshore winds until the end of the period on August 1st.
Overall, if you’re picking one, make it Saturday the 25th morning for the glass and the long-period groundswell. The 27th and 28th are also strong but will be a bit more challenging with the size. The inconsistency of this spot means you gotta be ready to move when it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NW 18 | NW 17 | SW 7 | SW 24 | SW 24 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
326 | 41 | 32 | 212 | 114 | 103 | 49 | 77 | 159 | 185 | 214 | 155 | 242 | 199 | 203 | 134 | 90 | 75 | 104 | 202 | 347 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:48AM2.77m | 6:01PM2.56m | 6:34AM2.73m | 6:49PM2.46m | 7:19AM2.63m | 7:38PM2.33m | 8:04AM2.48m | 8:29PM2.18m | 8:50AM2.31m | 9:23PM2.03m | 9:39AM2.15m | 10:24PM1.92m | 10:35AM2.03m | 11:31PM1.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:59AM0.26m | 00:13AM0.07m | 12:47PM0.30m | 00:58AM0.21m | 1:35PM0.38m | 1:44AM0.39m | 2:23PM0.48m | 2:32AM0.59m | 3:13PM0.59m | 3:23AM0.76m | 4:08PM0.67m | 4:21AM0.89m | 5:08PM0.73m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
326 | 295 | 286 | 212 | 114 | 167 | 152 | 152 | 93 | 185 | 214 | 99 | 242 | 199 | 203 | 134 | 71 | 63 | 104 | 143 | 91 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 6 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WNW 21 | SW 14 | NW 19 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 18 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 24 | SW 11 |
3 | 17 | 15 | 57 | 44 | 103 | 23 | 77 | 159 | 169 | 42 | 155 | 95 | 93 | 84 | 83 | 90 | 73 | 63 | 202 | 75 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | N 6 | W 17 | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | NW 14 | WSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 14 | WNW 20 | SW 7 | SW 21 | NW 6 | SW 19 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | SW 24 |
18 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 8 | 49 | 8 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 75 | 8 | 18 | 1 | 15 | 80 | 75 | 69 | 68 | 347 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 6 | SW 7 | — | SSW 12 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
37 | 41 | 32 | 18 | 34 | 37 | — | 37 | 51 | — | 247 | 26 | 46 | 65 | 65 | 85 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 912 | 7 | 0 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 815 | 141 | 7 | 916 | 111 | 102 | 1012 | 111 | 57 | 878 | 7 | 230 | 814 | 102 |
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.










