Playa Negra Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.18° N 85.82° W

Playa Negra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Negra sea temperature is
29.7° C
1.7° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SW swell with 581 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period with SW 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. 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 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 30th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Best Surf 6PM (Thu 30th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 30th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for this stretch of coast. We’ve got a run of surf ahead, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down day by day.

Right out of the gate, the real standout pops up on Thursday afternoon, July 30th, at Playa Negra. Swell is coming in from the SW at about 4ft with a solid 14-second period. The wind is pure offshore from the East at 9 mph, so it’s going to be clean as a whistle. The combined energy is sitting at a solid moderate 603, enough to push some fun, well-formed lines down that point. The water is a warm 86°, which is about 3° warmer than usual for this time of year, so a little touch more tropical than normal.

Thursday morning, July 30th, has a similar 4ft SW swell, but with a cross-offshore wind from the ENE at 16 mph, so it’ll be a bit bumpier than the afternoon. Energy is 675, so plenty of push, but those morning conditions are a touch rougher.

Friday, July 31st, sees the swell drop a bit to about 3ft. The morning is clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the afternoon gets messy with a cross-onshore wind from the SW. That one is pretty much a write-off for quality waves.

Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd, offer smaller surf, around 2ft to 3ft. Saturday afternoon has that nice 3ft SW swell and light offshore wind, so it could be a fun little session for a log or a fish. By Sunday afternoon, the period jumps to 15 seconds, but with a cross-shore wind, it’ll be a bit choppy.

Monday, August 3rd, is worth a look in the morning. 3ft SW swell, near glassy conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze from the ENE at 3 mph. Clean and small. The afternoon is a no-go with the onshore wind.

We hit a pretty flat and poor stretch from Tuesday, August 4th, through Wednesday, August 6th. Swell sizes drop to 1ft or 2ft, with onshore winds and even some storm risk. There’s almost nothing doing there.

Friday, August 7th, things wake up again. The afternoon session is our second true standout. Expect 3ft of swell from the SSW with a very long 17-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE at 9 mph, leaving it clean. Energy is a solid 537. This is going to be a classic Playa Negra run, with long, waiting sets and good shape. Just keep in mind that long-period swell like this can be a bit straight at beach breaks, but on this point, it’ll line up beautifully.

Saturday, August 8th, the swell builds to 4ft from the SW by the afternoon. The wind goes light offshore from the East, making for a clean, fun afternoon with energy at 574. That’s a good session.

Sunday, August 9th, is a bit of a letdown. The swell is still around 3ft, but the morning wind is strong, making for poor conditions. The afternoon is better with an offshore breeze, but it’s nothing special.

Looking way out to Thursday, August 13th, there’s another really promising morning. That’s 3ft of SW swell with a long 17-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the ENE. Energy hits 636, and it looks clean. That’s one to circle on the calendar, but it’s far out, so don’t bank on it just yet. The afternoon swings onshore again.

The following days into mid-August keep that 2ft to 3ft range, with some clean mornings and iffy afternoons. Wednesday, August 12th, has a low-energy morning but a glassy afternoon session with a 16-second period—worth a paddle for the patient surfer.

So to sum it up: your best bets are the Thursday afternoon, July 30th, and the Friday afternoon, August 7th. Both are clean, have good period, and the point should be working nicely. The rest is a mix of small, clean windows and onshore slop.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
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
3
3
1
0
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
0
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
667
589
485
357
342
326
238
234
147
108
171
167
231
208
84
108
73
93
50
49
73
Wind (km/h)
25
ENE
15
E
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
SW
15
ENE
25
NE
10
ESE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
SSW
5
ESE
5
ENE
15
SW
5
WSW
10
NNE
15
WSW
10
ESE
10
NE
15
SW
10
E
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
3:20PM2.28m
3:52AM2.22m
3:58PM2.30m
4:27AM2.30m
4:35PM2.29m
5:02AM2.35m
5:11PM2.26m
5:37AM2.38m
5:50PM2.20m
6:15AM2.39m
6:30PM2.13m
6:56AM2.37m
7:16PM2.04m
Low Tide
9:13AM0.53m
9:38PM0.31m
9:52AM0.48m
10:12PM0.28m
10:30AM0.44m
10:46PM0.28m
11:08AM0.42m
11:19PM0.30m
11:47AM0.42m
11:55PM0.34m
12:29PM0.43m
00:34AM0.39m
1:15PM0.45m
1:19AM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:33
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:06
6:06
6:06
6:05
6:05
6:05
 mm
1
1
2
4
3
4
4
Temp °C
33
33
28
32
29
28
32
31
28
30
29
27
30
29
28
31
29
28
32
29
27
Feels °C
33
34
29
36
32
32
33
33
29
33
31
30
32
32
32
34
32
32
36
32
29
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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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