San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
26.6°C
4.5° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s 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 (Aug 28) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at San Mateo in the next 16 days are 1.6m 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 0.4m 12s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 28th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 19s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 28th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 19s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for San Mateo over the next couple of weeks.

First off, I gotta be straight with you. The next few days are looking bleak. We're talking a real slow start, with nothing worth paddling out for from Sunday the 23rd right through until the end of the week. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1 ft to 2 ft, and the wind is cross or cross-on, just messing up what little bump there is. The energy is weak (102 to 306), and it's just not worth getting wet. You'd be better off waiting.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn't arrive until Friday the 28th. The morning shows a bit of life with a 3 ft SW swell, a period of 18 seconds, and an onshore wind that's a touch light. The energy jumps up to 636 (moderate), and while it's still a bit marginal, it's the first sign the ocean is waking up. The wind is better, but it's not clean yet.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The standout window is from Saturday the 29th through to Sunday the 30th. The swell builds to 5 ft on Saturday morning, from the SW with a 15-second period, giving us a solid 1270 (strong) energy. That's proper groundswell energy. The wind is cross, not ideal, but manageable. It's pushing into the advanced territory though, so this isn't for the groms.

But the real highlight, the one that's got my heart thumping, is Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September. Thursday morning sees a 5 ft SW swell, cranking at 19 seconds – that's a beautiful, long-period groundswell. The energy is a whopping 1616 (very strong). The wind is a gentle cross-shore, which will keep it relatively clean. Friday morning pushes it up to 6 ft, still with a 16-second period and 2044 (very strong) energy, with a light cross-shore wind. This is the best on offer. At 6 ft, it's solid for experienced surfers, and with that long period, it'll be packing a punch. The water temperature is a notable 80°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so you might not need the thickest wetsuit.

Remember, San Mateo is a point break that's inconsistent and can get crowded sometimes. It's exposed to the NW, but the best swell is coming from the SW, so it's not the perfect match on direction, but the size and quality of the swell should make up for it. The long period will mean the waves have real shape, but at a point break, those long gaps between sets will make paddling out a bit easier.

After that, the surf drops off again into the second week. The 5th and 6th of September still have some decent size, 5 ft to 6 ft, but the wind turns more cross-on and choppy, so it's not as clean. Still, for a morning session, it could be worth a look if you're desperate.

So, to sum it up: a slow start, but the end of the first week and the start of the second week are where it's at. Keep your eyes on Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September – that's your best bet.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
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
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.4
SW
15
0.4
SW
14
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WSW
20
0.9
SW
18
1.3
SW
18
1.5
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
208
203
192
219
165
161
145
76
74
57
51
111
169
163
253
465
985
1109
1232
1011
874
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SW
20
WSW
5
WSW
10
SW
20
WSW
5
WSW
5
WNW
15
WSW
15
SW
25
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
12:09PM1.84m
1:13AM1.87m
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
Low Tide
6:42PM0.77m
7:12AM0.97m
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
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clear
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clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:27
6:27
6:27
6:27
 mm
Temp °C
26
25
24
27
26
24
27
26
24
26
26
24
26
26
24
26
26
25
25
26
24
Feels °C
26
25
24
28
26
24
27
25
24
27
26
26
27
26
26
29
27
26
24
25
24
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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