
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SW swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s 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 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. The next couple of weeks are looking up for Playa Negra, but you've gotta pick your moments. This spot is an exposed point-and-beach setup that's made for advanced surfers, and it loves a solid WNW swell, though we're getting a mix of SW groundswells through the period.
First up, the water is sitting at a balmy 87°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. That's a solid 4° above average, so it's pretty notable – you won't need a spring suit, that's for sure.
Let's be honest, the start is pretty average. Saturday morning, the 12th, the swell is only 3 ft from the SW with a long 14-second period, but the combined energy is moderate (370) and the winds are a bit tricky. It's clean and cross-off in the morning, but the whole day is only marginal. We really get going on Sunday, the 13th. The swell drops to 2 ft, but the period holds at 13 seconds and Sunday afternoon the wind goes *offshore* from the E at only 6 mph, with the combined energy still decent at 206. That's a clean little window for a log or a fun board.
The real standout arrives Monday, the 14th. Monday morning has small 2 ft SW swell but with a long 19-second period and light ENE winds. Then Monday afternoon is pure glass – 2 ft from the SW, 18-second period, and absolutely zero wind. The combined energy builds to 317. That's a glassy, clean session for the patient surfer. Tuesday morning the 15th is clean again with 2 ft and an 18-second period, and the energy jumps to 515. It's getting better.
The best early call is Wednesday morning, the 16th of September. Swell pushes up to 4 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 866. With ENE cross-off winds at 9 mph, it's clean and has some push. That’s the one to circle for the first week. Thursday morning the 17th also looks fantastic with 3 ft, 14-second swell, offshore ENE winds at 6 mph, and energy at 530. Clean conditions again.
After that, the surf stays consistent but a little smaller. We get a few glassy mornings on the 18th and 19th, with 2 ft to 2 ft and energy around 400-450. Perfect for a longboard. Then Sunday morning the 20th is another beauty – 3 ft, 19-second period, and *glassy* calm conditions, with energy jumping to 728. That's a proper morning session.
The second week has a few more standouts. Monday the 21st morning has 4 ft from the SW, 18-second period, and light offshore E winds at 3 mph. Combined energy is 787 – that's strong and clean. Tuesday morning the 22nd is solid too, with 3 ft and 16-second period, clean cross-off winds, and energy of 654.
Then we get a bit of a lull late in the week before a late-period spike. The real wildcard, and possibly the best on offer for the *whole* forecast, is the morning of Saturday the 26th. The swell jumps to 5 ft from the SW, but the period drops to only 8 seconds – so it's a short-period wind swell, not as clean as the groundswells we had. However, the winds are glassy, and the energy is strong at 592. It gets even bigger in the afternoon: 6 ft, 9-second period, dead calm. Combined energy hits 687. For a beach-and-point setup, this much short-period swell could get a bit unruly, but if the wind stays glass, it could be punchy and fun for the crew with the right board. It's a late bloomer, so keep an eye on that Saturday the 26th.
Sunday the 27th winds down with 4 ft from the WSW, short 8-second period, and light NNE cross-off winds, energy at 332. It'll be rideable but nothing special.
Best bet of the whole run: Wednesday the 16th morning for the best combination of size (4 ft), long period (16s), clean cross-off wind, and strong energy (866). If you want a glassy dawn patrol, Sunday the 20th or Monday the 21st mornings are the ones. The late spike on the 26th is promising but less certain – wait and see.
Overall, Playa Negra has a good run of consistent, clean windows. Don't get too excited about the afternoons – they mostly get cross-on or onshore and turn to slop. Stick to the mornings and you'll score.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
346 | 341 | 215 | 140 | 138 | 299 | 219 | 246 | 460 | 312 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 | 249 | 239 | 236 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:28PM2.47m | 3:49AM2.63m | 4:10PM2.44m | 4:28AM2.60m | 4:50PM2.37m | 5:07AM2.51m | 5:29PM2.25m | 5:45AM2.39m | 6:09PM2.12m | 6:25AM2.25m | 6:51PM1.97m | 7:08AM2.10m | 7:39PM1.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:21AM0.13m | 9:35PM0.11m | 10:04AM0.11m | 10:15PM0.15m | 10:44AM0.14m | 10:54PM0.23m | 11:24AM0.22m | 11:32PM0.34m | 12:04PM0.33m | 00:11AM0.47m | 12:46PM0.47m | 00:52AM0.61m | 1:32PM0.60m | 1:39AM0.74m | |||||||
5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 32 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 35 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
346 | 341 | 215 | 76 | 99 | 71 | 69 | 89 | 105 | 105 | 587 | 508 | 823 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 | 249 | 205 | 205 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 |
58 | 49 | 44 | 140 | 138 | 134 | 219 | 246 | 460 | 312 | 111 | 96 | 93 | 68 | 66 | 90 | 76 | 71 | 50 | 51 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SW 18 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NW 13 | NW 13 | SW 23 | SW 22 | N 5 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
24 | 80 | 17 | 51 | 68 | 299 | 73 | 71 | 69 | 203 | 109 | 95 | 43 | 44 | 86 | 123 | 10 | 220 | 198 | 239 | 236 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | N 5 | — | — | N 5 | — | WSW 6 | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | — | N 5 | — | — |
— | — | 6 | 2 | — | 7 | 10 | — | 16 | — | — | 11 | — | 3 | 6 | 9 | — | — | 7 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 213 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guanacaste | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










