Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore 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★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s 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 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| 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 folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' at San Mateo.
It's gonna be a bit of a slow burn over the next week or so, with a lot of cross-shore and onshore wind messing things up. The water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a bit of a wild card. The first few days are a real write-off, with tiny, poor surf. We're looking at a gap of about a week before anything really starts to get interesting.
The standout session, and the only one I'd really be circling on the calendar, is the morning of Thursday, September 3rd. We've got a glassy 4ft southwest groundswell rolling in with a very long period of 19 seconds. The combined energy is reading 769 (moderate), but that glassy wind is the key – it'll be clean as a whistle. The swell direction from the southwest is a solid match for the optimum, so this point break should be offering up some real lines. It's an advanced, inconsistent spot that can be a bit of a tease, but when it works, it works. Just remember, it's a tricky one for the average punter.
Before that, the morning of Saturday, August 29th, sees the swell bump up to 5ft with 16-second period (1065 combined energy), but there's a stiff cross-shore wind that'll put a bit of a chop on the surface. It's a marginal call at best. The same goes for the morning of Friday, September 4th, with a 5ft to 5ft southwest swell, but again, cross-shore winds will be a factor.
After that Thursday morning window, the winds turn back onshore and the swell drops. The morning of Tuesday, September 8th, has a 2ft swell with a very long 21-second period, but it's going to be breaking straight, and the morning of Wednesday, September 9th, shows a 5ft southwest swell with 17 seconds (1486 combined energy), but it's marginal and the wind is still an issue. It's a long-range promise, so keep an eye on it.
Overall, it's a waiting game. The real prize is that Thursday the 3rd glassy morning. Don't sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
57 | 51 | 111 | 169 | 163 | 253 | 465 | 871 | 1109 | 1041 | 911 | 886 | 526 | 503 | 431 | 300 | 286 | 203 | 200 | 235 | 238 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | 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 | 8:48AM0.71m | 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 | |||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
49 | 51 | 34 | 169 | 163 | 253 | 465 | 871 | 1109 | 1041 | 911 | 886 | 526 | 503 | 431 | 300 | 286 | 203 | 200 | 235 | 207 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SW 21 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 | SW 20 | SW 20 | WSW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 7 | SW 8 |
15 | 51 | 111 | 21 | 116 | 169 | 171 | 83 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 36 | 55 | 82 | 70 | 59 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 13 | WNW 13 | SW 8 | NW 11 | NW 11 | — | W 18 | — | SW 20 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
57 | 14 | 33 | 13 | 13 | 61 | 17 | 18 | 5 | 5 | — | 6 | — | 16 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 112 | 238 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | SW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 4 | — |
32 | 38 | — | — | 23 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 56 | 68 | 67 | 49 | 57 | 73 | 71 | 56 | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 912 | 46 | 141 | 815 | 230 | 141 | 912 | 111 | 7 | 938 | 111 | 7 | 1050 | 310 | 310 | 912 | 141 | 141 | 820 | 141 |
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.











