Playa Negra Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.18° N 85.82° W

Playa Negra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Negra sea temperature is
30.2° C
2.0° 

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


Playa Negra surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 21s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 21s period, SW swell with 1,167 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Playa Negra this week:

The surf forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Playa Negra in the next 16 days are 1.1m 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 18th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 21s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 21s

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


The Lowdown

Right, listen up, surfers. Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Playa Negra.

It’s a bit of a slow start. The first week is mostly a write-off, with very small, weak swell and wonky cross-off winds. The Sunday afternoon on the 19th of July has a bit of energy, with a 3-foot (0.9m) SSW swell and a 12-second period, but the wind is still cross-off and the overall energy is moderate (442). The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing too wild.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the window from the 24th of July onwards. The early morning of Friday the 24th of July is a proper pulse. We’re looking at a 3-foot (0.8m) SW swell with a very long period of 24 seconds. That’s proper groundswell rolling in and the combined energy is strong (901). The wind is offshore from the ENE, so it’ll be clean. This is a quality wave for experienced surfers, but that long period means it’ll be a bit more powerful and better shaped at the point.

The real magic happens on the 26th of July, Sunday morning. A 4-foot (1.1m) SW swell, 19-second period, combined energy is strong (873), and the wind goes glassy from the SSE by the afternoon. That afternoon session on the 26th is where it’s at: 4-foot (1.3m) SW swell, 18-second period, and the wind is glassy. The energy is very strong (1095). This is the best call of the whole run. The 27th of July, Monday morning, is also excellent with 4-foot (1.3m) SW swell and 17-second period, with a light offshore wind. The 28th of July, Tuesday morning, is a big one for experts, with a 6-foot (1.7m) SW swell, 18-second period, and glassy winds, but that’s getting into the big stuff. If you’re advanced, that’s the one.

The break is a beach and point, so it works well for this quality SW groundswell. It’s a consistent break, but it does get crowded sometimes, so get there early for the best of it. The second week is promising, but less certain. The 30th of July, Thursday morning, has a 5-foot (1.5m) SW swell with 14-second period and a clean offshore wind, a solid option. The 1st of August has moderate offshore winds and 3-3-foot (0.8-0.9m) SSW swell, a good way to finish the outlook.

Stay safe, and get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
2
0
2
0
1
2
1
0
1
2
1
1
1
0
1
2
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
SW
13
0.7
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.9
SSW
13
0.5
SW
19
0.9
SSW
12
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.4
SW
13
1.3
SSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
140
150
164
286
170
244
192
366
361
313
301
293
250
173
134
92
93
56
186
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
15
ENE
15
NE
20
ENE
20
ENE
10
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
15
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
ENE
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
5:28AM2.59m
5:43PM2.45m
6:15AM2.54m
6:31PM2.31m
7:02AM2.45m
7:20PM2.15m
7:48AM2.33m
8:10PM2.00m
8:37AM2.20m
9:04PM1.86m
9:29AM2.09m
10:03PM1.77m
Low Tide
11:10PM0.00m
11:38AM0.21m
11:56PM0.10m
12:28PM0.30m
00:41AM0.24m
1:19PM0.40m
1:27AM0.40m
2:10PM0.51m
2:15AM0.55m
3:04PM0.60m
3:06AM0.68m
4:02PM0.67m
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
27
31
30
27
31
32
27
28
27
25
29
29
26
27
26
25
28
26
25
Feels °C
26
33
31
27
32
35
27
28
29
25
29
28
27
30
28
25
29
28
27
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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 Negra Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Playa Negra provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Playa Negra can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Playa Negra 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 Negra) 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 Negra 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 Negra is 41 km (25 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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