Surf Forecasts:
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, 1AM (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 with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-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 | 1AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what we’ve got on the cards.
First off, it’s a pretty rough start out there. There’s a lot of cross and cross-onshore wind hammering the waves, making for messy, lumpy conditions. The combined swell energy is in the moderate zone (with readings like 757 and 526), but the quality just isn’t there for a good paddle. The water temperature is a real standout for this part of the world – a whopping 81°F, which is 9°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you’ll be surfing in short sleeves for sure.
San Mateo (point) is the only spot in the game, but it’s an inconsistent one, so you have to pick your moments. The first true glimmer of hope comes early on Tuesday morning, the 18th of August. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, with a nice 3ft of swell from the SW and a period of 16 seconds. That long period means proper groundswell, good shape, and though it’s a point break, the clean conditions should make for some memorable lines. The combined energy sits at a decent 475, and the early morning crowds are only a *sometimes* problem, so if you’re keen, get out there before the afternoon chop arrives. This is the best session on offer so far.
After that, things slide back into a poor funk of lumpy cross-chop for several days. There’s a tiny window on Friday morning, the 21st of August, with another glassy start. The swell is tiny though, only 1ft, and the energy has dropped way down to 109. It’s surfable but very ordinary – more of a longboard or a fun-board session if you’re desperate.
Then we hit a long, flat stretch with very little energy and poor winds until we look further out. The real standout for the whole outlook is Saturday morning, the 29th of August. The wind turns clean and cross-offshore, with 3ft of SW swell at 16 seconds. The combined energy is a solid 459. The point should be handling that long-period energy beautifully, offering clean, lined-up waves. Crowds might be a factor, but for that quality, it’s worth the company. That Saturday morning is the pick of the bunch, though it is a long-range call, so treat it as a promising possibility.
The end of the run, around the 30th, shows a slight increase in swell size back to 4ft with moderate energy (443), but the wind is just a light cross-shore, so the quality is only marginal. There’s no other break to switch to, so we’re stuck with this inconsistent point break being our only hope.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
757 | 598 | 520 | 410 | 410 | 404 | 440 | 380 | 468 | 301 | 346 | 218 | 286 | 316 | 233 | 160 | 77 | 91 | 75 | 128 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:39PM2.60m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:47PM0.12m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 7 | SW 14 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 9 |
757 | 598 | 520 | 123 | 410 | 103 | 119 | 380 | 468 | 301 | 346 | 218 | 286 | 316 | 233 | 160 | 66 | 168 | 47 | 86 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 12 | NW 12 | SW 14 | NW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 7 | SSW 8 | NW 13 | NW 13 | SW 10 | SW 18 | NW 9 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
— | 6 | 6 | 410 | 6 | 404 | 440 | 79 | 101 | 7 | 7 | 53 | 12 | 3 | 40 | 74 | 77 | 91 | 75 | 128 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 12 | — | NW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | NW 13 | — | W 16 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 13 | NW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 22 | SW 11 | WSW 21 |
— | — | — | 6 | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 77 | 18 | 19 | 42 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | SW 6 | — |
138 | 124 | 142 | — | 85 | — | — | — | — | 98 | 109 | 165 | 197 | 166 | 108 | 90 | — | — | 20 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 913 | 111 | 102 | 920 | 310 | 102 | 674 | 4 | 0 | 912 | 310 | 181 | 912 | 310 | 141 | 805 | 141 | 0 | 912 | 11 |
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.











