Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 480 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and knots for the non-metric crew.
Let’s be straight: San Mateo is looking bleak for the opening stretch. For the first week and a half, the surf is practically non-existent, with small, weak swell and cross-breezes chopping everything up. The gap with no recommendation runs from now right through until late August. Not worth suiting up.
Things start to stir around Friday the 28th of August. That morning brings a 3ft southwest groundswell at 17 seconds, with a light cross-shore breeze. The wave energy is moderate (577). It’s not clean enough to call a winner, but it’s a sign of changes.
The standout is Saturday the 29th of August. The morning shows a 5ft southwest swell with a 16-second period, combined energy climbing to a strong 1029. The wind stays light cross-shore, keeping the point running smooth. Swell direction matches the optimum northwest exposure perfectly. This is the one – bigger, cleaner, powerful. Since San Mateo is a point break, this long-period swell will wrap in beautifully and not just close out. For a spot that’s inconsistent, this is a seriously promising window. The size makes it advanced-only territory. Expect crowds when a wave-starved spot like this lights up.
Sunday the 30th still holds 4ft swell but the wind picks up to a moderate cross-breeze, and the energy drops to moderate. It’s still rideable, but not the peak.
Water temp is nothing special, average for this time of year.
That Saturday the 29th is your window. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 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 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 404 | 440 | 380 | 468 | 301 | 293 | 218 | 282 | 321 | 176 | 169 | 77 | 139 | 74 | 127 | 116 | 97 | 129 | 208 | 203 | 192 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 12:09PM1.84m | 1:13AM1.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:02AM1.04m | 6:42PM0.77m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 7 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 404 | 440 | 112 | 468 | 301 | 293 | 218 | 282 | 321 | 101 | 169 | 65 | 139 | 74 | 127 | 116 | 85 | 82 | 208 | 203 | 192 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | S 12 | SW 15 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 11 | SW 18 | NW 9 | SW 11 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 11 | WSW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | 380 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 176 | 8 | 77 | 127 | 20 | 42 | 61 | 97 | 129 | 52 | 50 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 11 | S 11 | N 7 | — | W 16 | N 8 | NW 10 | NW 13 | SW 16 | W 14 | SW 12 | SW 22 | SW 21 | NW 13 | NW 13 | S 10 | S 10 | NW 12 | SW 15 | NW 12 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 39 | 4 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SW 7 | — | SSW 7 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 |
| kJ | 123 | 112 | — | 86 | 129 | 143 | 235 | 166 | 147 | — | 90 | 66 | — | 106 | 117 | 81 | 50 | 35 | 11 | 18 | 14 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 820 | 674 | 0 | 7 | 805 | 334 | 310 | 912 | 138 | 7 | 920 | 141 | 7 | 815 | 102 | 7 | 938 | 7 | 11 | 920 | 111 |
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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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