
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with 929 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (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 Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 1.3m 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 0.8m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's coming up for the next couple of weeks at San Mateo. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tough stretch for surfers here. We’re looking at a long gap before there's anything really worth paddling out for, with a lot of small, choppy days to get through first. The swell is coming from a direction that isn't ideal for this spot, with the optimum being from the NW but the forecast is mostly SW.
The first chance of a wave comes on Saturday morning, the 5th of September. It's got a 5ft swell from the SW with a period of 15 seconds, which is a solid long-period groundswell. But the wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph, which is creating a cross-chop. Conditions are marginal, the wave energy is moderate at 990, and it's not really clean. The afternoon looks even worse with onshore wind. Don't get too excited.
Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are much the same story. Small swells around 3ft to 4ft, with periods of 13 to 14 seconds. Winds are light on Monday morning, but still cross, giving the surf a slight chop. It’s more for a paddle than a decent wave.
Then we hit a real flat spell from Tuesday the 8th through to Wednesday the 16th of September. For over a week, the swell drops below 3ft, with energy levels getting as low as 201 (weak). The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, keeping everything messy and unappealing. There's a couple of 'glass' and 'light cross-shore' moments, like on Friday morning the 11th with a glassy 3ft swell, but the period is only 14 seconds and the energy is low at 431. It’s a poor run for quality surf. The best you can say is that it’s a long-period groundswell, but it’s just not enough.
Finally, on Thursday morning the 17th of September, things start to look a bit more interesting. We get a 3ft swell from the SW with a 13-second period, but the wind goes cross-offshore from the SSW at 6 mph, making for clean conditions. The energy is still low at 298, but the clean conditions are a real positive. This is about the best the next two weeks will offer. That clean, lined-up little wave will be your best bet.
After that, it drops off again into another weekend of small, messy surf. The windows are so tight here that you'll need to be on it first thing when the wind is lightest. The water temp is a staggering 80°F, which is 9°F warmer than normal. That’s very unusual for this time of year, almost tropical.
So, if you’re looking for a standout, it's got to be Thursday morning, the 17th. The swell is small, but that cross-offshore wind is a gift. It won't be big, but it'll be your best chance at a clean, surfable wave in a pretty blank run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
924 | 836 | 736 | 565 | 492 | 340 | 330 | 330 | 318 | 352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 929 | 728 | 719 | 557 | 404 | 398 | 285 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:26PM2.01m | 10:46AM2.06m | 11:52PM2.06m | 12:10PM2.10m | 1:06AM2.22m | 1:21PM2.23m | 2:04AM2.41m | 2:19PM2.38m | 2:53AM2.58m | 3:09PM2.51m | 3:36AM2.71m | 3:53PM2.59m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 3:58PM0.59m | 4:33AM0.85m | 5:20PM0.59m | 6:02AM0.81m | 6:37PM0.51m | 7:16AM0.67m | 7:40PM0.37m | 8:15AM0.49m | 8:33PM0.25m | 9:05AM0.33m | 9:19PM0.16m | 9:48AM0.20m | 10:01PM0.12m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
924 | 836 | 736 | 565 | 492 | 340 | 330 | 330 | 310 | 352 | 390 | 525 | 437 | 410 | 929 | 728 | 719 | 557 | 404 | 398 | 285 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 8 |
8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 199 | 304 | 318 | 139 | 139 | 184 | 261 | 375 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 39 | 53 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | — | — | — | SW 20 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 |
5 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 68 | 184 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 26 | 35 | 34 | 31 | — | — | — | 15 | 27 | 26 | 28 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | — | SW 5 | — | — | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — |
53 | 58 | 34 | 24 | 39 | — | 13 | — | — | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 41 | 33 | 41 | 47 | 33 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 348 | 920 | 111 | 181 | 912 | 141 | 7 | 766 | 7 | 7 | 912 | 11 | 7 | 920 | 310 | 7 | 912 | 141 | 0 | 857 | 221 |
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.










