Surf Forecasts:
Zicatela surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with 632 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with S 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s is also forecast. 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 1.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zicatela over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Zicatela.
We’re looking at a pretty solid run of surf coming up, starting from Tuesday morning the 4th of August. The water temp is sitting at 87°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The early part of the week is small, but there’s good energy building.
Tuesday morning the 4th sees a small 2ft SSW swell with a long 13-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the WNW, so it’s a bit messy. Combined energy is weak at 205, so not much to get excited about. Tuesday afternoon is similar, with onshore wind and even smaller surf.
Wednesday the 5th shapes up better. The morning goes glassy with a calm wind, and a 2ft SW swell with a 15-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 236. It’s small, but clean. The afternoon gets a risk of thunderstorms and a cross-on wind, so the morning is the window.
Thursday the 6th morning is glassy again, with a 2ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and combined energy at 222. Nice and clean, but still small. The afternoon sees some clouds and a cross-on breeze, so morning wins again.
Friday the 7th morning has a 3ft SSW swell with a long 18-second period—that’s a proper groundswell period. Combined energy is climbing to 683, which is moderate to strong. The wind is light cross-on, so it’s a bit textured, but the energy is there. This is a point where the long period will make the waves shape up well at Zicatela, but watch for those longer waits between sets.
Saturday the 8th morning is a standout. Glassy conditions, a 4ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and combined energy at 774. This is shaping up to be excellent. The waves will have real push and the offshore wind will keep them clean. This is the best on offer in the first week. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.
Sunday the 9th morning is another glassy session, with a 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and combined energy at 609. Very good conditions again. The afternoon has a risk of thunderstorms and a cross-on wind, so stick to the morning.
Monday the 10th morning is glassy with a 3ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and combined energy at 570. Clean and fun. The afternoon brings a risk of storms and onshore wind, so morning is the call.
Tuesday the 11th morning is a gem. Glassy, 3ft SSW swell with an 18-second period, and combined energy of 807. That’s strong energy. The long period will give it serious shape and power at this exposed break. This is another standout.
Wednesday the 12th morning has a cross-off wind from the NNW, with a 3ft SW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy of 534. Clean conditions. The afternoon is a write-off with onshore wind.
Thursday the 13th morning is glassy again, with a 3ft SW swell, 15-second period, and combined energy of 423. Clean and consistent.
Now, look ahead to Friday the 14th of August morning. This is the big one. Glassy, a 4ft SW swell with an 18-second period, and combined energy is a massive 1137. That’s strong to very strong energy. The wave heights are around 4ft, but with that period and energy, it’s going to be powerful. The morning is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon is onshore, so get it early.
Saturday the 15th of August morning is also excellent. Glassy, 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy of 1193. That’s very strong. This is getting into the bigger range, so it’s for experts only. The power will be significant.
Sunday the 16th of August morning is glassy, 4ft SW swell, 14-second period, and combined energy of 574. Very good, clean conditions.
The second week continues with good surf. Monday the 17th morning is glassy, 3ft SW swell, 14-second period. Tuesday the 18th morning is glassy, 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and combined energy of 650. Wednesday the 19th morning has a light cross-on wind, 3ft SSW swell, 14-second period.
Overall, the standout mornings are Saturday the 8th, Tuesday the 11th, and especially Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th of August. Those last two are for the experienced crew only. The first week offers excellent, clean waves for intermediate surfers, and the second week brings more power. Get in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | SW 15 | S 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 111 | 73 | 78 | 104 | 103 | 164 | 111 | 212 | 214 | 395 | 481 | 532 | 612 | 584 | 515 | 545 | 474 | 269 | 362 | 379 | 251 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:36PM0.85m | 7:21AM1.07m | 7:15PM0.82m | 8:06AM1.11m | 7:58PM0.79m | 8:54AM1.13m | 8:45PM0.76m | 9:48AM1.14m | 9:40PM0.75m | 10:45AM1.13m | 10:42PM0.75m | 11:46AM1.12m | 11:51PM0.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:51PM0.23m | 00:43AM0.08m | 1:38PM0.23m | 1:21AM0.05m | 2:27PM0.23m | 2:04AM0.03m | 3:19PM0.24m | 2:52AM0.01m | 4:16PM0.25m | 3:47AM0.02m | 5:17PM0.25m | 4:50AM0.04m | 6:20PM0.23m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 4 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 9 | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 111 | 46 | 78 | 76 | 69 | 50 | 50 | 212 | 175 | 238 | 481 | 532 | 612 | 584 | 515 | 545 | 474 | 269 | 362 | 379 | 125 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 44 | 73 | 58 | 104 | 103 | 164 | 111 | 47 | 214 | 395 | 181 | 114 | 48 | 43 | 43 | 33 | 42 | 27 | 192 | 306 | 178 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SW 12 | SW 23 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SW 22 | SW 16 | SSE 7 | ESE 9 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 50 | 60 | 76 | 56 | 34 | 97 | 61 | 159 | 49 | 50 | 64 | 51 | 114 | 21 | 58 | 31 | 73 | 125 | 16 | 8 | 251 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 2 | W 3 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 10 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 1041 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 |
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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