
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 21s period, SW swell with 647 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for San Mateo this week:
The most powerful waves expected at San Mateo in the next 16 days are 0.8m 21s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for San Mateo. This is a tricky one, and I gotta be straight with you – it's going to be a long, frustrating wait for anything decent. This spot is an exposed point break, and it tends to be inconsistent, so a run like this isn't totally out of the ordinary, but it still stings.
The first week is pretty much a write-off. From Friday the 17th right through to the end of the week, we’re looking at small, weak swell with poor surf conditions. The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the water is running a very unusual 4° warmer than normal for this time of year at a toasty 80°. Combine all that energy, and it's barely registering in the moderate range. It’s just not happening for us.
We do finally see a glimmer of hope as we move into the second week. On Monday morning, July 27th, the stars might finally align. We’ve got a clean, clean setup with light cross-offshore winds from the SSE and a solid 4ft SW groundswell. The combined swell energy is strong (1048), and the conditions look excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout window of the whole period.
Then, just a couple of days later, Wednesday morning July 29th, looks like another cracker. The wind is forecast to be totally glassy – dead calm – which is a major positive. We’ll have a similar 4ft SW groundswell rolling in. This is a real treat for a point break; it'll be clean as a whistle. Keep in mind, the period is 15 seconds, which is very long period groundswell. At a point like this, that should translate into some beautiful, lined-up waves with plenty of push. Just be aware, with the lack of action for so long, crowds are likely here if it gets good.
As we roll into the start of August, the consistency drops right back off again with the wind turning cross-shore and much less energy in the water. It feels like we might get a couple of bonus days, but nothing to rely on just yet.
Stay patient, pick your windows, and I’ll see you in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 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 13 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | SW 24 | SW 24 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
326 | 49 | 46 | 57 | 89 | 104 | 49 | 77 | 159 | 169 | 278 | 155 | 330 | 235 | 203 | 139 | 87 | 80 | 69 | 202 | 347 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:01PM2.56m | 6:34AM2.73m | 6:49PM2.46m | 7:19AM2.63m | 7:38PM2.33m | 8:04AM2.48m | 8:29PM2.18m | 8:50AM2.31m | 9:23PM2.03m | 9:39AM2.15m | 10:24PM1.92m | 10:35AM2.03m | 11:31PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:59AM0.26m | 00:13AM0.07m | 12:47PM0.30m | 00:58AM0.21m | 1:35PM0.38m | 1:44AM0.39m | 2:23PM0.48m | 2:32AM0.59m | 3:13PM0.59m | 3:23AM0.76m | 4:08PM0.67m | 4:21AM0.89m | 5:08PM0.73m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 7 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
326 | 295 | 286 | 187 | 89 | 145 | 131 | 39 | 47 | 169 | 214 | 99 | 330 | 235 | 203 | 139 | 87 | 75 | 122 | 129 | 122 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | WNW 21 | SW 14 | NW 19 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 18 | NW 18 | NW 17 | SW 11 | SW 24 | SW 24 |
3 | 17 | 15 | 57 | 44 | 104 | 49 | 152 | 93 | 84 | 42 | 155 | 95 | 93 | 84 | 83 | 80 | 75 | 63 | 202 | 347 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | N 6 | S 16 | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 21 | NW 8 | WNW 20 | SW 21 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | SW 19 | WNW 7 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 16 |
18 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 33 | 8 | 19 | 77 | 159 | 42 | 3 | 75 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 69 | 68 | 66 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — |
42 | 49 | 46 | 55 | 69 | 46 | 38 | — | — | 64 | 278 | 18 | 30 | 41 | 29 | 64 | 74 | 80 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 538 | 912 | 351 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 815 | 141 | 7 | 848 | 111 | 7 | 139 | 111 | 7 | 1012 | 139 | 7 | 912 | 46 |
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.










