Surf Forecasts:
Zicatela surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,044 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zicatela this week:
The surf forecast for Zicatela over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zicatela in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zicatela over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same story but in feet and degrees Fahrenheit for the old school crew. Zicatela is the spot, and it’s got a solid run of southern groundswell coming in. Water temp is about 88°, a touch warmer than usual, so it’s like a warm bath out there.
Monday morning the 14th is small – 2 to 3 feet from the SW, super long 18-second period. Glassy, clean, but not much push. Energy is moderate around 420. Monday afternoon gets onshore, so skip it.
Tuesday the 15th morning bumps up to 4 feet, still 17 seconds, glassy. Energy at 934 – building. Good shape. Afternoon gets choppy.
Wednesday the 16th morning is glassy again, 4 feet at 16 seconds. Clean lines. Thursday the 17th morning is 3 to 4 feet, 14 seconds, glassy. Friday the 18th drops to 2 to 3 feet but period stretches to 20 seconds – real groundswell. Glassy. Saturday the 19th is similar, 2 to 3 feet, 18 seconds.
Sunday the 20th morning is where it gets real good. 3 to 4 feet, 19 seconds, glassy, and the energy jumps to 1077 – strong. This is excellent for experienced surfers. That long period groundswell at a beachbreak like Zicatela can make it a bit straight, so you gotta read the bank. Afternoon goes cross-onshore, so morning is the move.
Monday the 21st has 4 feet at 17 seconds, energy at 1298, but the wind is cross-onshore in the morning, so not as clean. Tuesday the 22nd morning has a cross-offshore breeze – cleaner. Swell holds at 3 to 4 feet.
The middle of the week from the 23rd to the 25th stays around 3 to 4 feet, periods dropping from 15 to 13 seconds. Some mornings glassy, some with a light cross-offshore. Good but not firing.
Then Tuesday the 29th morning – 6 feet from the SW at 12 seconds, energy at 1352, strong. Glassy conditions. This is a standout for the end of the run. That afternoon hits 7 feet, energy at 2161 – very strong, but onshore wind. So the morning is the golden window. At 7 feet, it’s expert only.
Overall, the best mornings are the 15th through the 20th, and then that Tuesday the 29th morning is a real standout. Crowds are possible – Zicatela gets busy when it’s good. Respect the locals and you’ll score.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 510 | 735 | 844 | 771 | 595 | 843 | 600 | 561 | 553 | 538 | 344 | 388 | 455 | 441 | 383 | 375 | 635 | 930 | 783 | 772 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 5:01PM0.90m | 5:31AM1.13m | 5:44PM0.88m | 6:13AM1.12m | 6:25PM0.84m | 6:55AM1.09m | 7:05PM0.81m | 7:36AM1.04m | 7:44PM0.77m | 8:18AM1.00m | 8:24PM0.73m | 9:01AM0.96m | 9:08PM0.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:03PM0.06m | 11:55AM0.12m | 11:43PM0.06m | 12:37PM0.13m | 00:22AM0.08m | 1:18PM0.16m | 1:00AM0.10m | 1:59PM0.20m | 1:37AM0.13m | 2:41PM0.24m | 2:15AM0.17m | 3:25PM0.28m | 2:57AM0.22m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 510 | 735 | 844 | 771 | 595 | 843 | 600 | 561 | 553 | 538 | 309 | 299 | 219 | 215 | 383 | 375 | 635 | 930 | 783 | 772 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 76 | 56 | 75 | 109 | 86 | 71 | 73 | 53 | 51 | 66 | 344 | 388 | 455 | 441 | 209 | 202 | 147 | 125 | 125 | 167 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 21 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 21 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 69 | 72 | 13 | 72 | 205 | 30 | 60 | 255 | 224 | 368 | 34 | 33 | 27 | 27 | 40 | 300 | 14 | 33 | 33 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — | SW 6 | — | — | S 8 | — | — | WSW 4 | W 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 10 | — | — | 46 | — | — | 11 | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 1048 | 0 | 0 | 1181 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 709 | 2 | 0 | 1045 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oaxaca | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Zicatela Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Zicatela provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Zicatela can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zicatela 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 (Zicatela) 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 Zicatela 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 Oaxaca? If you are looking for accommodation near Zicatela, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Oaxaca, consider staying in Puerto Escondido which is 1 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Oaxaca where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Nopala which is 31 km (19 miles) away and Miahuatlan de Porfirio Diaz, 73 km (45 miles) away.
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