San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 16 Aug 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 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with 598 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s 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 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 16th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Lookin’ at the charts for San Mateo, and I gotta be straight with ya—this is a lean run. We’ve got a decent patch of swell hangin’ around, but the wind is gonna be a pain in the arse for most of the next couple weeks. The real standout window is a short one, so you’ll wanna be on it.

Now, for the first week, the water temp is sittin’ pretty average for this time of year, so nothin’ to get excited about there. Let’s get into it.

Right from the off, Sunday 16 August morning has some swell—4ft from the southwest with a 14-second period, combined energy of 526—but it’s a cross-shore wind from the SSW at 12 mph, so it’s choppy and messy. Not worth paddlin’ out. That afternoon and all through Monday look even worse with cross-on winds and poor conditions.

The one real shining moment comes on Tuesday 18 August morning. The wind swings around to the WNW at only 3 mph and goes glassy. That’s magic. The swell drops a touch to 3ft from the southwest, but the period extends to 16 seconds, makin’ for a nice, long groundswell. Combined energy sits at 475. The break here at San Mateo is a point break that’s exposed to the NW, and that southwest swell wraps in nicely, so you’re gonna get clean, lined-up waves. This is the best on offer—get out there early. Tuesday afternoon sees the wind turn cross-on again, though, and it goes downhill.

After that, it’s a whole lotta nothin’. Wednesday 19 August through to Saturday 22 August is all cross-shore or cross-on winds, with swell droppin’ from 3ft down to a weak 2ft by Friday mornin’. Friday the 21st morning does go glassy again, but the swell is tiny—2ft from the southwest with a 16-second period, energy down to 145. Surfable, but barely. Expect small, clean waves if you’ve got a log.

From Saturday 22 August afternoon right through to Sunday 30 August, it’s a long stretch of poor surf. Wind stays onshore or cross-shore, swell bounces between 1ft and 4ft, but the conditions are consistently rubbish. Tuesday 25 August onward has some marginal calls, but nothin’ worth a paddle.

Now, lookin’ out to the second week, there’s a little glimmer. Friday 28 August morning shows a pulse of swell—3ft from the southwest, period 16 seconds, combined energy jumps to 654. That’s a solid energy readin’, but the wind is light cross-shore from the SW at 6 mph. The surf report flags it as marginal due to tide, but it’s the best long-range option. Less certain, but keep an eye on it. Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August mornings both have an increase in swell—4ft from the southwest with 14-second period, energy around 541. Sunday the 30th morning even has a light cross-offshore breeze from the south at 9 mph, which cleans it up a bit. Mark that one as promising but not locked in.

If the swell holds and the wind behaves, San Mateo point could have some nice lines—just remember, this spot is inconsistent, so don’t expect a guarantee. Crowds are possible, especially if the glassy Tuesday session gets busy.

Alright, that’s the rundown. Tuesday morning is your golden window. Everything else is a gamble. Stay tuned, forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
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)
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
15
1
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
0.9
SW
11
0.8
SW
10
0.4
SW
15
0.5
SW
16
0.4
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
520
410
410
404
440
380
468
301
346
304
286
363
198
132
77
127
75
128
116
109
129
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
20
WSW
20
SW
15
SSW
20
WSW
10
SSW
5
WNW
20
WSW
15
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
15
SSW
5
WSW
20
WSW
15
SSW
10
SSW
20
SW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
6:03AM2.74m
6:22PM2.50m
6:42AM2.61m
7:05PM2.37m
7:21AM2.44m
7:48PM2.20m
8:02AM2.25m
8:36PM2.03m
8:47AM2.07m
9:32PM1.88m
9:42AM1.92m
10:43PM1.78m
10:52AM1.84m
00:04AM1.78m
Low Tide
12:17PM0.21m
00:28AM0.26m
12:58PM0.30m
1:08AM0.43m
1:39PM0.43m
1:50AM0.61m
2:23PM0.57m
2:35AM0.79m
3:13PM0.70m
3:30AM0.94m
4:16PM0.80m
4:41AM1.03m
5:31PM0.82m
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clear
part cloud
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clear
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clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
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part cloud
clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:30
6:29
6:29
6:29
6:29
6:29
6:28
 mm
Temp °C
26
26
24
26
25
24
26
26
24
26
26
24
26
25
24
26
26
24
26
26
24
Feels °C
26
26
25
26
25
26
28
27
25
26
26
24
26
25
25
27
27
25
29
26
25
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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