
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, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period with SSW 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 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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+) | 9PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| 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 folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a close look at what’s on offer for Zicatela over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up, but it’s not all magic. The pattern is a long stretch of consistent SSW groundswell, hanging in the 3ft to 4ft range. The water’s sitting at 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel that bathwater. The standout window is clear: Wednesday, September 16th through Thursday morning, September 17th, and then again Monday, September 21st and Tuesday, September 22nd mornings deliver the best combo of size, glass, and shape.
Starting off Tuesday, September 15th is a write-off. Cross-on wind and marginal conditions, so don’t bother. The story kicks in proper on Wednesday morning the 16th. Glassy conditions, clean as a whistle, with a 4ft SSW swell rolling in at a long-period 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (946), and with zero wind, it’s going to be some of the cleanest surf of the whole outlook. That’s the one to lock in. Keep in mind, long-period groundswell like this (over 15 seconds) can get a bit straight at the beach, but when it’s glassy like this, Zicatela can handle it.
Thursday morning the 17th holds similar: 4ft of SSW swell, 14-second period, and glassy again. That’s a cracking option too.
Then we hit a bit of a lull. Friday the 18th through Sunday the 20th the swell drops (2ft to 4ft) and the cross-on wind picks up. It’s still surfable but nothing to write home about. The combined energy dips to the 600-900 range. Not a total loss, just not top shelf.
Monday morning, September 21st, is another real highlight. We’re back up to a solid 4ft of SW groundswell at 17 seconds, with very strong wave energy (1107). Glassy conditions again. This one is marked for experienced surfers – the power is there. Tuesday morning the 22nd gives you another 4ft of S-SW swell at 16 seconds with glass, a bit less energy (748) but still very clean.
After that, the second week (Wednesday 23rd through to the 30th) settles down. Swell hangs between 2ft and 4ft, mainly SW, with periods dropping back to 12-18 seconds. Mornings continue to offer glassy windows, but the energy fades to a more moderate 400-700 range. Wednesday afternoon the 30th is the only late-period session that has a full day of glassy conditions, with 3ft, 16-second SW swell and good energy (597). It’s worth a paddle if you’re around, but don’t expect the power of that first week.
Crowds can show up here sometimes, especially when it’s clean and pumping, so be prepared to share the peak. Overall, the first week has the best windows – don’t sleep on Wednesday the 16th or Monday the 21st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°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 Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 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 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
844 | 771 | 595 | 843 | 600 | 561 | 553 | 538 | 344 | 388 | 455 | 441 | 379 | 375 | 635 | 930 | 901 | 772 | 974 | 745 | 746 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 9:47AM0.92m | 9:58PM0.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:12PM0.31m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:30 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 5 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 10 |
Temp °C | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
844 | 771 | 595 | 843 | 600 | 561 | 553 | 538 | 309 | 299 | 249 | 215 | 379 | 375 | 635 | 930 | 901 | 772 | 974 | 745 | 746 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | S 8 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
75 | 109 | 205 | 73 | 71 | 55 | 52 | 49 | 344 | 388 | 455 | 441 | 209 | 199 | 184 | 180 | 125 | 111 | 126 | 68 | 123 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | SW 12 | S 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 21 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSW 21 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | W 4 | WSW 4 | SSE 8 | W 4 |
13 | 72 | 84 | 30 | 60 | 255 | 224 | 368 | 35 | 26 | 35 | 24 | 25 | 300 | 22 | 22 | 49 | 9 | 7 | 19 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | WSW 4 | W 4 |
12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | 12 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 1007 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 10 | 192 | 0 | 2 | 1045 | 2 | 0 | 1045 | 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.










