San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
27.0° C
4.9° 

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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 480 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (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 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Best Surf 7AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about the local surf situation for San Mateo.

Alright folks, I've been staring at the charts for San Mateo, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow grind for the next week and a half. We've got a solid point break here, which ideally loves that NW swell, but we're stuck with a persistent SW pulse for the foreseeable future. The water is cooking at 81°F, which is a whopping 9°F warmer than usual – that’s incredibly unusual, like swimming in a bath.

The pattern is pretty grim for the next ten days. The combined swell energy is mostly moderate, but the wind is the real killer. It’s almost constantly cross-on or just plain cross, and that’s keeping things choppy and messy. We’ve got a long run of poor surf conditions with a few "marginal" mornings tossed in. There are a couple of tiny windows with light breezes on the 18th and 22nd mornings, but the swell is tiny – around 3ft and 2ft respectively – and the period is either short or just average. It’s just not worth paddling out for.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Now, I don’t want to be a total downer, because the back half of this forecast is where it gets interesting. Hold on to your boards.

The real standout, the one you want to circle on your calendar, is Friday the 28th of August. I’m talking about the morning session. We’re looking at a solid 4ft SW swell, but with a period of 19 seconds. That is very long-period groundswell, so it’s going to have some serious energy and shape. The combined energy is a whopping (1036), which is strong. But the best part? The wind is forecast to be light and cross-offshore. That’s going to groom the point into perfection for experienced surfers. The conditions are described as clean, and I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn't beating a little faster. For the advanced crew, that Friday morning is the only real show in town.

The morning after, Saturday the 29th, also has potential. The swell is a bit bigger at 5ft with a 16-second period, and the energy is even higher at (1154). The wind is light and cross-shore, so it could be okay, but it’s a little more on the side of marginal. If the tide is right, it could be a fun backup, but Friday is the one.

Other than that, the rest of the second week is a mix of building swells but with onshore winds ruining the party. For the week leading up to the 28th, it’s pretty much a write-off. I’m talking a full 10-day gap where there's just nothing worth recommending. But keep an eye on that Friday the 28th morning – that’s our shot.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Mon
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
15
1
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
11
0.9
SW
11
0.4
SW
15
0.5
SW
16
0.4
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.4
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
440
380
468
301
346
218
202
316
176
169
77
127
74
127
116
85
129
208
203
192
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
10
SSW
10
SSW
20
SW
15
SW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
20
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
20
WSW
15
SSW
10
SSW
20
WSW
15
SSW
15
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
10:52AM1.84m
00:04AM1.78m
12:09PM1.84m
1:13AM1.87m
Low Tide
1:08AM0.43m
1:39PM0.43m
1:50AM0.61m
2:23PM0.57m
2:35AM0.79m
3:13PM0.70m
3:30AM0.94m
4:16PM0.80m
4:41AM1.03m
5:31PM0.82m
6:02AM1.04m
6:42PM0.77m
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clear
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clear
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clear
part cloud
part cloud
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part cloud
clear
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clear
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:29
6:29
6:29
6:29
6:29
6:28
6:28
 mm
Temp °C
26
24
26
26
24
26
25
24
26
26
24
26
25
24
26
26
24
25
25
24
Feels °C
26
25
27
27
25
27
25
24
27
27
26
27
25
25
27
27
25
27
24
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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