San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
27.0°C
5.0° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s 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★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 17s. 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Wed 2nd Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 2nd Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
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 surfers, Rusty here. Let’s break down San Mateo.

The water is running warm – 81°F, which is a solid 9° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s way out of the ordinary, so leave the wetsuit at home.

Right now, we’re looking at a slow start. The first few days have tiny swell and the winds are messy – cross and cross-on shore – so the wave quality is poor. Don’t bother paddling out on Wednesday the 26th or Thursday the 27th; there’s nothing happening. Friday the 28th morning shows a little life with 1.0 ft from the SW and a very long period of 18 seconds, but the energy is only moderate (661) and the wind is cross. It’s marginal at best.

Saturday the 29th morning is the first real standout. Swell builds to 2 ft from the SW with a period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a strong 1073. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so conditions will be rideable, but expect a little cross-chop. This is a point break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Sunday morning the 30th is also worth a look, with 1 ft and moderate energy, but the cross-shore wind is a bit stronger.

There’s a big gap of poor surf from the 31st of August through the 1st of September. Then, on the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of September, we get a glassy moment. The wind goes glass – WSW at 3 mph – and we have 1.0 ft of SW swell with a period of 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (501) and conditions are expected to be very good. This is a rare window of perfection, and for a point break that’s inconsistent, it’s a real treat. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get there early.

The rest of the first week of September sees a mix of marginal and poor conditions, with onshore winds spoiling the fun. The morning of Thursday the 3rd has 1 ft from the SW with a long 18-second period, but the wind is light cross-on, so it’s just a maybe.

For the second week, the outlook is quieter. The best bet is the morning of Monday the 8th of September, with 1.0 ft from the SW and a period of 18 seconds under a light cross-on breeze. The energy is strong (819), but that wind direction keeps it from being clean. The morning of Wednesday the 9th also has some potential with 2 ft from the SW, but the wind is cross-shore and the energy is high (1087). It’s all marginal.

Truth is, this 16-day window is patchy. The point needs a clean wind to shine, and we’re not getting much of it. If you’re a glassy-weather surfer, circle Wednesday the 2nd of September.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
0
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)
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
1.2
SW
18
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
1.5
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
12
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
0.8
SW
12
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
57
51
111
169
163
253
465
871
1109
1041
911
886
588
503
431
300
286
240
200
235
238
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
25
SW
20
SW
15
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
15
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
25
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
10
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:47PM2.17m
3:21AM2.32m
3:25PM2.29m
3:53AM2.45m
4:01PM2.39m
4:25AM2.56m
4:37PM2.45m
4:57AM2.62m
5:12PM2.48m
5:30AM2.63m
5:49PM2.46m
6:05AM2.60m
6:28PM2.40m
Low Tide
9:02PM0.43m
9:26AM0.58m
9:37PM0.34m
10:01AM0.46m
10:10PM0.28m
10:35AM0.36m
10:43PM0.25m
11:09AM0.29m
11:17PM0.26m
11:44AM0.25m
11:53PM0.31m
12:21PM0.26m
00:31AM0.39m
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:27
6:27
6:27
6:27
6:25
6:25
6:25
 mm
Temp °C
26
26
25
26
26
24
27
26
24
26
26
24
26
25
24
25
25
24
25
25
24
Feels °C
27
27
28
28
26
24
28
26
24
26
26
23
26
24
23
24
24
24
26
24
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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