
Surf Forecasts:
Zicatela surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s 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★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 08) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. 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. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| 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 break down the next couple of weeks at Zicatela. We got a bit of everything, but a couple of windows are gonna be well worth the paddle.
The first few days are pretty standard. Monday afternoon we got surf around 4ft from the SSW at 14 seconds, but that cross-onshore wind has it a little lumpy and bumpy. The energy is moderate at 726. It's not terrible, but it's not gonna be a classic. The water is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, sitting at 88°, so it's a warm one.
Tuesday morning looks way cleaner as the wind goes flat. The swell drops to 2ft, but it’s got a nice long 18-second period from the SW. It’s small, but it'll be glassy and perfect. The energy cools down to 633, so it'll be lacking in power. The afternoon wind will kick up again and make it messy, so early is the call.
Wednesday through Friday are much the same. We’re looking at waist to chest-high waves, around 3ft to 5ft from the SW. Periods in the 15-16 second range, so there’s some groundswell in the mix. The issue is the wind, which keeps flip-flopping between light cross-shore and full onshore in the afternoons. The mornings are the key, and Friday morning looks particularly nice – glassy with a clean 4ft SW swell. That’s a good one.
The weekend backs off. Saturday and Sunday mornings are clean, but the swell fades to around 2ft to 3ft, and the energy dips below 500. It’s a bit gutless. Unless you’re on a longboard, it might not be worth the effort.
Now, let's talk about the good stuff. As we head into the middle of next week, that energy starts to build again. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th have clean mornings with swell back up to 4ft and 4ft from the SSW, periods in the 16-17 second range. The energy climbs back into the solid range. Thursday the 17th holds that 4ft at 14 seconds with another glassy morning.
But the real standout is the weekend after. We’re on the lookout for a proper pulse. Sunday the 20th, the swell jumps to 6ft from the south at 11 seconds, and the energy meter is pegging strong at 1489. The morning is glassy. That’s a big step up in power. It’s still under the 8ft mark, so it won’t be too crazy, but there will be some real push.
Then Monday the 21st is looking like the pick of the entire stretch. The energy is massive at 1886, with a 4ft SW swell that has a long 18-second period. The winds are glassy again in the morning. This is a long-period groundswell, which can run a bit straight at a beach break like Zicatela, but the sheer energy and clean, long lines should make it a cracking day. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but being over a week out, you gotta keep an eye on it and be ready for changes.
After that, the energy stays solid, but the size drops back a bit into Tuesday the 22nd. Still, there will be good waves in the morning.
So, if you’re looking to score, the middle of next week has some clean, fun surf. But the standout, the one with the most drive and potential for a proper session, is that Sunday morning on the 20th and especially Monday the 21st. Keep your fingers crossed for that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | 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 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
486 | 362 | 312 | 302 | 381 | 381 | 553 | 974 | 1014 | 813 | 906 | 724 | 614 | 407 | 346 | 293 | 212 | 178 | 251 | 246 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:34PM0.80m | 11:25AM1.03m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:51PM0.23m | 4:43AM0.11m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
6:36 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | 1 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | 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 |
486 | 362 | 299 | 261 | 241 | 381 | 553 | 974 | 1014 | 813 | 906 | 724 | 614 | 407 | 346 | 293 | 212 | 178 | 175 | 132 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 7 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | S 11 | WSW 7 | SSW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 |
49 | 35 | 312 | 302 | 381 | 196 | 233 | 94 | 12 | 85 | 5 | 37 | 96 | 50 | 49 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 251 | 246 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | S 7 | S 6 | W 10 | SW 20 | W 10 | SSE 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 6 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSE 10 | SW 16 | S 8 | S 8 |
140 | 209 | 22 | 19 | 29 | 186 | 18 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 80 | 123 | 19 | 68 | 29 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | W 4 | — | — | ENE 6 |
51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 709 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 10 | 178 | 0 | 10 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 192 | 0 | 0 | 1041 | 0 | 0 | 192 | 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.










