Surf Forecasts:
Zicatela surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,145 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 6AM. 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 (Wed 9th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zicatela over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the stretch ahead. We’ve got a solid window of groundswell lining up, and while it’s not going to be giant, there are some proper clean windows to get after it. The water’s running a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, about 88°, which is notable.
First up, we’ve got a bit of a wait. Tuesday afternoon is looking marginal, with light onshore wind and a modest 2ft SW swell. We’ll just have to be patient. The real story starts Wednesday morning. The wind goes glassy, that SW swell bumps up to 3ft with a solid 16-second period, and the energy is building. This is where it starts to get interesting.
Thursday morning brings a bit more size, 5ft, but there’s a cross-on wind messing with the surface. It’s not a write-off, but not the cleanest. The energy is picking up though. Friday morning, though, is a standout. Glassy conditions, 4ft of SW swell, and a clean 15-second period. The energy is still strong. This is a proper morning to be out there.
Saturday morning is another glassy one, with 3ft of swell. It’s a bit smaller, but the clean conditions make it super fun. The afternoons are mostly a write-off with the onshore breeze kicking in.
We’ve got a bit of a lull into Sunday and Monday, with the swell dipping to 2ft. It’s still rideable on the glassy mornings, but the energy drops off. Then it picks back up Tuesday and Wednesday next week. The mornings look clean with 4ft to 4ft of SSW swell and some good energy behind it. These are your next solid bets.
The following weekend sees a drop in size again, down to 3ft, but the period stretches out to 20 seconds on Friday morning. That’s some proper long-period groundswell, but at that size, it might be a bit fat. Sunday the 20th is interesting though—there’s a cross-offshore wind and 4ft of long-period SW swell, which could set up some nice lines.
The final stretch, from the 22nd to the 23rd, keeps things in the 4ft to 4ft range with clean mornings and moderate energy. It’s consistent, but nothing too crazy.
All in all, the standout sessions are Friday morning, Saturday morning, and the Wednesday/Thursday mornings of the following week. They’ve got the cleanest winds and the best mix of size and energy. Zicatela is fairly consistent through this whole run, so you’ll get your chances.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 302 | 381 | 381 | 553 | 974 | 1014 | 803 | 989 | 724 | 676 | 459 | 407 | 288 | 212 | 178 | 184 | 248 | 312 | 510 | 735 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:45PM0.83m | 12:29PM1.00m | 00:57AM0.89m | 1:31PM0.97m | 2:04AM0.96m | 2:30PM0.95m | 3:04AM1.03m | 3:25PM0.94m | 3:57AM1.09m | 4:15PM0.92m | 4:46AM1.12m | 5:01PM0.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:54PM0.23m | 5:57AM0.15m | 6:55PM0.21m | 7:12AM0.17m | 7:53PM0.17m | 8:22AM0.16m | 8:46PM0.13m | 9:25AM0.15m | 9:35PM0.10m | 10:20AM0.13m | 10:20PM0.07m | 11:09AM0.12m | 11:03PM0.06m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
mm | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 7 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 261 | 241 | 381 | 553 | 974 | 1014 | 803 | 989 | 724 | 676 | 459 | 407 | 288 | 212 | 178 | 175 | 132 | 312 | 510 | 735 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | SSW 11 | W 9 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 302 | 381 | 196 | 213 | 94 | 12 | 91 | 7 | 37 | 96 | 50 | 51 | 51 | 32 | 33 | 50 | 248 | 73 | 57 | 56 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | W 10 | SW 20 | W 10 | SSE 7 | W 10 | SW 21 | SE 8 | W 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 4 | SW 16 | SW 19 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 21 | 29 | 186 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 80 | 154 | 2 | 68 | 184 | 39 | 35 | 69 | 72 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 43 | — | — | 16 | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 178 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 2 | 10 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 192 | 0 | 0 | 1014 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 1007 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Oaxaca | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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