Zicatela Surf Break

Lat Long: 15.85° N 97.05° W

Zicatela Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Zicatela sea temperature is
31.2° C
1.6° 

Zicatela surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Zicatela surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 657 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 (Aug 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 18th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zicatela over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty good for Zicatela, with a solid run of consistent swell out of the southwest. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 88°, so that’s a nice bonus. The first few days are a bit of a slow start, but we’ve got some real standouts coming up.

The surf kicks off on Monday the 17th, but it’s a bit of a write-off for the afternoon with an onshore wind and only marginal conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 694, and the swell is 4ft from the SW with a 15-second period, which is a nice long groundswell. That longer period means better shaped waves, but it’s best for the point and reef setups here. Not the day to get excited.

Tuesday the 18th morning is where it starts to get interesting. Glassy, clean, with a light WNW breeze at 6 mph. The swell is 4ft from the SW, 14-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 554. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s your early morning window.

Wednesday the 19th morning is another glassy one, with the same 4ft SW swell, 15-second period, and moderate energy at 553. Again, clean and fun. The afternoons get a bit scrappy with onshore winds, so mornings are the go.

Thursday the 20th morning is glassy with no wind, but the swell drops to 3ft from the SSW with a 14-second period and combined energy of 349. Still rideable, but smaller.

Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd mornings are glassy again, with swells around 3ft to 4ft. The Saturday morning swell is 4ft from the S, 10-second period, and combined energy of 496. Good for a paddle, but the period is a bit short.

Sunday the 23rd has a long period of 18 seconds, but the swell is only 2ft, and the winds are a bit messy. The combined energy jumps to 732, showing that longer period has more punch, but the size is small. Not a standout.

Now, the real highlight comes on Friday the 28th of August. The morning is glassy, clean, with a 3ft SSW swell and a 16-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 906. That’s a solid groundswell with good shape. This is a prime session.

But the absolute best on offer is Saturday the 29th of August morning. Glassy conditions, with the swell hitting 6ft from the SW, 17-second period, and combined energy of 1756. That’s strong wave energy. This is excellent for experienced surfers – it’s over 5ft, so beginners might find it a bit much, but for the crew that knows what they’re doing, this is as good as it gets. The long period will make the waves peel nicely along the point, with clean glassy faces.

Sunday the 30th morning is also excellent, with a 5ft SW swell, 15-second period, and combined energy of 1203. Another one for the experienced crew.

The rest of the window into early September holds smaller, manageable surf, but Saturday the 29th morning is the clear standout. Remember, the long period swells like this can break a bit straight at beach breaks, but at Zicatela, it’s a classic point and reef setup, so that caveat isn’t an issue.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
3
3
1
2
2
0
2
2
0
3
2
1
3
3
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
17
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
15
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.8
S
10
0.9
S
11
0.8
SSW
17
1
S
10
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
414
476
503
657
489
362
347
232
219
175
121
178
364
202
321
303
338
323
465
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
5
WNW
10
WSW
5
N
0
WSW
10
SSW
10
N
5
WNW
10
SW
5
NNE
0
S
15
SSW
10
N
0
NW
15
SW
5
NNW
5
S
15
WSW
5
N
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:48AM1.12m
6:53PM0.89m
7:32AM1.09m
7:35PM0.83m
8:16AM1.06m
8:16PM0.77m
8:59AM1.02m
8:57PM0.72m
9:44AM0.98m
9:41PM0.68m
10:32AM0.95m
10:31PM0.65m
Low Tide
00:17AM0.03m
1:05PM0.16m
00:58AM0.05m
1:52PM0.19m
1:37AM0.08m
2:37PM0.23m
2:14AM0.11m
3:23PM0.27m
2:53AM0.15m
4:12PM0.30m
3:35AM0.18m
5:05PM0.32m
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:50
6:50
6:49
6:47
6:47
6:46
 mm
2
2
3
1
1
13
10
3
Temp °C
28
31
32
28
31
31
28
31
31
28
31
31
28
31
31
28
30
30
26
Feels °C
31
33
35
32
33
35
33
33
34
33
34
34
33
33
34
32
34
33
30
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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