Playa Grande Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.33° N 85.85° W

Playa Grande Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Grande sea temperature is
29.9° C
1.8° 

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


Playa Grande surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,087 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Playa Grande this week:

The surf forecast for Playa Grande over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Playa Grande in the next 16 days are 1.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 7th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 14th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 14th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, gang, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way.

The ocean’s got some life in it, no doubt. We’ve got a solid run of south swell, but you gotta be smart about when you paddle out. The wind is gonna be the wild card, so keep your eyes on the water.

First thing’s first, the water’s a balmy 86°, which is a bit warmer than average for this time of year, so you’ll be fine in just boardshorts.

The first real go-to is Saturday, August 8th. The morning is looking clean with about 3ft of SSW swell and offshore winds. The energy is building to a moderate 580, so there's some push behind it. The afternoon gets even better with a light offshore breeze and the swell bumps up to 4ft from the SW. That’s your first window to make the most of. Playa Grande is very consistent, so you won’t be waiting around.

Sunday the 9th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning gets a fresh cross-offshore breeze that’s gonna mess with the surface, so I’d give that a miss. The afternoon, though, switches to a light offshore and cleans right up with a solid 3ft of SW swell. That’s a good one.

Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th are a bit average. The swell drops to around 3ft and then 2ft, and the winds get a bit flukey. The mornings are workable, but you’ll be scratching for the good ones. The afternoons on Tuesday and Wednesday turn sloppy with a cross-onshore wind, so scratch those.

Thursday the 13th is a wash in the afternoon with a storm risk and onshore wind. The morning is rideable but nothing to write home about.

Now, here’s where it gets good again. Friday, August 14th is a big one. The morning session is looking like a standout. We’ve got a clean 4ft of SW swell, but the energy is jumping to a strong 804, which is a powerful push. The wind is light and offshore, so it should be holding up nicely. The swell is coming from the SW, which is exactly what Playa Grande wants. This is the pick of the first week.

Saturday the 15th is another day with some serious juice. The morning has a fresh breeze that might make it a bit lumpy, but the afternoon is money. The swell is 4ft, the energy is right up there at 904, and the wind goes offshore and light. That’s a proper session, but the swell is getting up there, so it might be pushing it for the beginners.

Sunday the 16th has a good morning with a clean 4ft, but the afternoon turns to mush with a cross-onshore wind. Monday the 17th is similar, with a good morning on 4ft but the breeze picking up later.

Tuesday, August 18th is another standout. The morning has a clean 4ft of swell with a moderate offshore wind. The energy is a solid 620. It’s not as big as the 15th, but it’s clean and consistent. That’s your second major highlight.

From Wednesday the 19th onward, the swell stays in the 3ft range, but the winds get more inconsistent. The mornings are generally the best bet, with the afternoons often turning onshore. The period drops a touch, which will make the waves a little less lined up, but there will still be plenty of fun to be had if you pick your windows.

So, to sum it up, the standout days are Saturday the 8th, Friday the 14th, and Tuesday the 18th. These are the days where everything clicks. The swell is solid, the wind is offshore, and the energy is pumping. Get out there and get some.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
3
3
3
2
0
2
2
1
2
2
2
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SSW
16
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.8
SW
13
0.9
SW
14
0.5
SW
20
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.7
SW
20
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
209
305
376
441
509
309
401
384
241
202
331
186
218
375
212
211
206
181
176
255
373
Wind (km/h)
25
ENE
10
ESE
15
ENE
20
ENE
10
E
25
ENE
25
ENE
10
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
10
E
15
ENE
10
E
20
SW
5
NE
15
ENE
15
SW
10
E
10
E
15
SW
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
off
High Tide
9:15PM1.90m
9:45AM2.25m
10:28PM1.90m
10:57AM2.26m
11:42PM1.98m
12:07PM2.32m
00:50AM2.13m
1:10PM2.41m
1:49AM2.30m
2:07PM2.50m
2:42AM2.47m
2:59PM2.55m
Low Tide
3:11PM0.52m
3:17AM0.57m
4:21PM0.51m
4:30AM0.58m
5:32PM0.44m
5:45AM0.52m
6:37PM0.33m
6:54AM0.42m
7:35PM0.20m
7:54AM0.30m
8:27PM0.09m
8:49AM0.20m
9:15PM0.02m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:04
6:04
6:02
6:02
6:02
6:01
 mm
1
1
1
5
Temp °C
31
31
27
32
31
27
32
32
27
31
31
27
30
29
28
31
29
28
29
28
28
Feels °C
31
34
29
35
33
27
32
33
28
30
33
29
32
31
32
35
32
32
32
30
33
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  • 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 Playa Grande Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Playa Grande provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Playa Grande can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Playa Grande 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 (Playa Grande) 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 Playa Grande 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.

Playa Grande is 48 km (30 miles) from Nicoya. If you plan a holiday in Guanacaste, look for hotels and other accommodation in Nicoya. Nicoya has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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