
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with 411 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Lookin’ at the 16-day window for San Mateo, and I gotta be straight with you—it’s a tough stretch. This is a point break that’s inconsistent, and for most of the next two weeks, the wind and swell just aren’t lining up. There’s a real dry spell from now until late July, with only a few mornings that are barely worth a look. The standout window is way out there, but it’s got potential if you’re patient.
We start on Wednesday the 15th with a bit of a pulse from the SW, 3ft and a long 16-second period, but that cross-breeze from the SSW at 12 mph is chopping it up. Combined energy is moderate at 452, but the surf is poor. Thursday the 16th is similar, with a bit more swell Thursday afternoon hitting 3ft, but the cross-onshore wind makes it messy. Friday the 17th morning is the first real flicker—still marginal, with 3ft SW swell at 13 seconds and a gentle cross-breeze, scoring just a 1 out of 10 for surf quality. Saturday the 18th morning is the same story: 3ft, 12-second period, gentle cross-shore, but still marginal. After that, it drops off into tiny, weak stuff through the middle of next week.
Then we hit a gap. From Sunday the 19th through to Thursday the 23rd, it’s all poor surf with tiny waves under 3ft and cross or cross-onshore winds. There’s a brief moment on Wednesday the 22nd afternoon where the wind swings to a cross 19 mph, but the swell is only 1ft—not worth paddling for.
Now, the real standout. On Friday the 24th morning, the stars nearly align. It’s glassy—dead calm wind from the SW at just 3 mph—with a 2ft SW groundswell rolling in at a very long 21-second period. The energy is strong at 502, and the conditions are described as “very good.” The only catch? The swell direction is SW, but this break loves NW swell—so it’s a bit straight, and with that long period, it might get a little walled-up at this point. Still, for a break that’s inconsistent and rarely breaks, this is a serious moment. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so you might have company.
After that, Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are back to marginal, with cross-shore winds and 3ft to 3ft swell. Then, on Monday the 27th, we get another shot. Monday morning is glassy again—calm wind, 4ft of SW swell at 18 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping at 1197. That’s strong. The surf is “excellent for experienced surfers,” and at 4ft, it’s a solid, manageable size for a point. That’s your best session of the window, no question. Tuesday the 28th morning holds a bit of size at 4ft, with a clean cross-off breeze, but it’s marginal. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th still have 4ft to 5ft of SW swell, but winds are onshore or cross, making it messy.
So, the best on offer is Monday the 27th morning—that glassy, 4ft SW groundswell with strong energy is a true standout. The Friday the 24th morning is the next best, but it’s smaller. For the rest, it’s a waiting game. If you’re not committed to a point break, this setup might look more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer on those windier days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
406 | 290 | 352 | 141 | 347 | 336 | 326 | 40 | 18 | 212 | 56 | 103 | 49 | 75 | 91 | 174 | 214 | 149 | 208 | 138 | 144 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:12AM2.67m | 4:21PM2.62m | 5:01AM2.75m | 5:11PM2.62m | 5:48AM2.77m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:18AM0.30m | 10:39PM-0.05m | 11:10AM0.25m | 11:26PM-0.03m | 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 | |||||||
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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
406 | 290 | 352 | 211 | 347 | 336 | 326 | 295 | 286 | 212 | 149 | 170 | 152 | 152 | 142 | 197 | 214 | 149 | 208 | 138 | 144 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | SW 16 | NW 11 | SW 12 | N 6 | N 5 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WNW 21 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | WNW 18 |
5 | 10 | 5 | 141 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 57 | 44 | 103 | 49 | 75 | 91 | 174 | 42 | 56 | 27 | 24 | 65 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 22 | NW 11 | SW 20 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | N 6 | N 6 | S 16 | W 16 | SW 19 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SSW 8 | WSW 13 | WNW 21 | NW 14 | WNW 20 | NW 19 | NW 19 | NW 13 |
18 | 5 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 56 | 8 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 42 | 8 | 38 | 95 | 93 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SSW 11 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 4 | SSW 7 |
23 | 36 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 40 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 26 | 33 | — | 211 | 51 | 62 | 26 | 56 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 348 | 857 | 0 | 7 | 912 | 111 | 7 | 912 | 7 | 7 | 815 | 141 | 7 | 815 | 141 | 7 | 815 | 7 | 102 | 912 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Manabi | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ecuador | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










