
Surf Forecasts:
San Mateo surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,710 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.9m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for San Mateo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer.
Honestly, mate, this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a solid block of days where the wind just won’t play ball. The mornings are the only real chance to get wet, and even then, it’s going to be a grind. There’s no single standout day that screams “drop everything and go,” but there are a few windows where you can salvage a session if you’re keen.
Let’s start at San Mateo. This is a point break, exposed to the NW, but we're getting a solid, long-period groundswell from the SW running through the first week. The wave energy is moderate to strong, hitting 664 (moderate energy) on Wednesday the 2nd of September, and building.
The best chance you’ll get is actually the Thursday morning of the 3rd of September. The swell is 4 ft from the SW with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. On a point break like this, that long period will groom into nice, lining waves. The wind is a light cross-shore from the SSW at 10 km/h (6 mph). That’s about as good as it gets all forecast. It won’t be perfect, but it’s the cleanest window we have.
Friday the 4th of September morning is also worth a look. The swell bumps up to 5 ft, still from the SW with a 16-second period. The energy is strong at 1169. Again, it’s that light cross-shore wind from the SW at 10 km/h (6 mph). The tide might be a bit weird, but the size and period make it the biggest, most powerful morning of the lot.
After that, it’s a lot of same story: afternoons are blown out by strong cross-onshore wind, and the mornings are marginal with cross-shore breezes. You get a consistent pulse of SW swell through the whole first week, but the wind is the enemy. From around the 6th of September onward, the swell drops off, and the energy fades into the weak range by the 12th.
There’s a little flicker on the 14th of September with a 3 ft, 14-second swell and light cross-shore wind, but it’s just a marginal call. By the second week, the energy is weak (in the 400-500 range) and the surf looks small and wonky.
Look, for this area, a long blank run with marginal mornings and blown-out afternoons is a pretty normal pattern. The water temperature is a massive 80°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – about 8°F warmer. That’s very unusual, so at least you’ll be warm while you’re scratching for a wave.
To sum it up: your best bet is the Thursday morning (3rd) for the cleanest conditions, or the Friday morning (4th) for the most size and power. Everything else is just a gamble on a morning low-tide mission.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
248 | 296 | 758 | 702 | 1710 | 1123 | 1314 | 1068 | 924 | 836 | 736 | 706 | 623 | 340 | 330 | 304 | 318 | 352 | 390 | 525 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:12PM2.31m | 7:26AM2.40m | 8:03PM2.18m | 8:18AM2.26m | 9:06PM2.07m | 9:24AM2.12m | 10:26PM2.01m | 10:46AM2.06m | 11:52PM2.06m | 12:10PM2.10m | 1:06AM2.22m | 1:21PM2.23m | 2:04AM2.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:14AM0.50m | 1:49PM0.40m | 2:05AM0.64m | 2:46PM0.51m | 3:10AM0.77m | 3:58PM0.59m | 4:33AM0.85m | 5:20PM0.59m | 6:02AM0.81m | 6:37PM0.51m | 7:16AM0.67m | 7:40PM0.37m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
228 | 221 | 758 | 702 | 1710 | 1123 | 1314 | 1068 | 924 | 836 | 736 | 706 | 623 | 340 | 330 | 242 | 228 | 352 | 390 | 525 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 11 | SW 14 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | SW 12 | SW 19 |
248 | 296 | 169 | 114 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 184 | 199 | 304 | 318 | 9 | 139 | 184 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | NW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 12 | WNW 9 | NW 11 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SW 21 | SW 21 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 |
188 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 68 | 8 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 6 | 20 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 11 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 12 | SW 4 | SSW 5 |
— | 205 | — | 207 | 34 | 27 | 44 | 33 | 26 | 29 | 19 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 236 | 24 | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 912 | 111 | 57 | 938 | 102 | 48 | 1054 | 230 | 7 | 912 | 181 | 7 | 912 | 102 | 7 | 815 | 7 | 214 | 938 | 230 |
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.










