San Mateo Surf Break

Lat Long: 0.95° S 80.83° W

San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's San Mateo sea temperature is
27.1°C
5.2° 

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 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SW swell with 831 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m 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 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (-05) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 10th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Thu 10th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. The outlook for San Mateo over the next couple of weeks is a bit of a waiting game. We’ve got a long stretch of messy, onshore or cross-shore conditions that are going to keep things pretty average, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you’re patient.

The first solid chance to get wet doesn't really show up until nearly two weeks out. Most of the days from now through to the 21st of September are plagued by a persistent cross to cross-onshore wind, making the surface choppy and the waves a bit of a battle. The swell is coming from the Southwest, running between 1ft and 4ft, but the direction is blowing straight across the face, and the wind state is just not cooperating. You’ll see wave energy in the moderate range, but with the wind ruining the shape, it’s just not worth the paddle.

The standout window, and really the only true highlight, is on Tuesday, the 22nd of September. The morning session is our best bet. The forecast shows a clean-looking window with a light cross-offshore breeze from the South. The swell is still coming from the Southwest at 2ft, with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a nice, long-period groundswell, which will bring in some real energy and shape, though it might be a bit straight for a beach break, but at a point break like San Mateo, this should be excellent. The wind will be light and clean, making for a much better, less bumpy surface. The water is far warmer than normal, sitting at a balmy 81°F, which is a real treat for this time of year. After that morning clean-up, the afternoon turns back to cross-onshore chop, so make the most of the morning.

Outside of that Tuesday morning, the rest of the forecast is a write-off. The waves are either too small, too weak, or too wind-affected to bother with. The 1ft to 2ft stuff we see in the second week is just not going to offer any power or shape for a decent ride. If you’re desperate to get out, the gentler breezes on the morning of the 18th or 19th might offer semi-rideable conditions, but it’s a gamble.

Overall, keep your board waxed for the 22nd of September morning. That’s the one to circle. The rest of the window is a write-off.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
2
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
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)
0.8
SW
18
1
SW
15
1.2
SW
17
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
437
410
831
728
719
492
404
398
285
173
171
168
131
131
111
197
206
432
366
427
462
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
30
SW
15
SSW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
SW
5
W
20
WSW
15
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
10
SSW
20
WSW
15
SW
15
SW
20
SW
15
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:19PM2.38m
2:53AM2.58m
3:09PM2.51m
3:36AM2.71m
3:53PM2.59m
4:15AM2.76m
4:35PM2.62m
4:53AM2.75m
5:14PM2.59m
5:29AM2.67m
5:53PM2.51m
6:04AM2.53m
6:31PM2.37m
Low Tide
8:33PM0.25m
9:05AM0.33m
9:19PM0.16m
9:48AM0.20m
10:01PM0.12m
10:28AM0.13m
10:41PM0.14m
11:06AM0.12m
11:19PM0.22m
11:43AM0.17m
11:56PM0.33m
12:19PM0.26m
00:33AM0.48m
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
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part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:15
6:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:21
6:21
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
27
26
25
26
26
25
27
27
26
26
26
25
27
26
25
26
26
25
26
26
25
Feels °C
27
25
26
29
27
28
30
28
28
28
26
25
27
25
26
29
26
27
28
26
26
  • 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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