
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 24s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 24s period, SW swell with 444 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s 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 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s 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 0.6m 24s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 1.1m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 24s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 24s |
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 shaping up down the line at Playa Negra.
Overall, the next couple of weeks are a tale of two halves. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but then a proper pulse of long-period groundswell kicks in from the west-northwest – the ideal direction for this spot. It’s a consistent advanced break, a beach and point set-up that’s exposed to the swell, so when it’s on, it’s on. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
Friday 17th July through to Thursday 23rd July are pretty quiet. Don’t expect much, with tiny little waves under 3ft and mostly cross-off winds. The combined energy is weak, hanging around 142 to 306 (weak to moderate). It’s surfable but very ordinary. The morning of Saturday 18th July has a clean 3ft of SW swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is offshore from the ENE, which is a nice window for a longboard if you’re keen, but it’s not a stand-out.
Friday 24th July is where the story changes. The morning brings a solid 3ft swell but with a very long period of 24 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 747 (moderate). It’s clean, but that long period can make a beach break tricky, so keep your eyes on the point.
The real stand-out, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Saturday 25th July. The morning session is pure magic. The wind is glassy – dead calm – with a 3ft, 21-second SW groundswell. The energy is pumping at 805 (moderate). This is the best on offer: clean, long-period lines with that perfect offshore-flowing point. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and with a rating like this, expect company – crowds are possible.
The pulse builds further into the next week. Sunday 26th July morning sees the swell push to 4ft with a 19-second period, and energy hits 1082 (strong). The wind is a slight air from the ESE, keeping it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Monday 27th July morning is the biggest of the lot: 5ft, 19-second SW groundswell, with offshore wind from the E and energy at 1442 (strong). That’s a proper combo. But by the afternoon, a cross-on wind from the SW makes it a bit lumpy.
Tuesday 28th July morning is still pumping with 5ft, 18-second swell, and energy at 1941 (strong). This is for experts – over 5ft means it’s pushing into bigger territory. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the afternoon cross-shore wind brings some chop.
After that, the swell slowly backs off through Wednesday 30th July to Thursday 31st August, dropping from 4ft to 3ft, but the winds remain favourable, with glassy conditions on the morning of Wednesday 29th July.
So, if you want the best, set your alarm for Saturday 25th July morning. Glassy, long-period, clean lines. It’s a two-week forecast, so it’s promising but not a lock. The blank run at the start is just how it goes sometimes – it never stays flat for long here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Fri morning, calm by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
103 | 75 | 178 | 140 | 192 | 164 | 286 | 170 | 248 | 192 | 366 | 361 | 313 | 305 | 297 | 250 | 173 | 134 | 92 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:40AM2.59m | 4:55PM2.56m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:23PM-0.05m | 10:47AM0.16m | 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 | |||||||
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 27 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 |
Feels °C | 27 | 32 | 34 | 27 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 33 | 34 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 8 |
203 | 195 | 178 | 222 | 192 | 164 | 286 | 276 | 248 | 243 | 366 | 361 | 313 | 305 | 297 | 250 | 173 | 134 | 57 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 6 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | N 5 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 12 |
68 | 67 | 76 | 140 | 150 | 146 | 12 | 170 | 194 | 20 | 212 | 146 | 144 | 137 | 25 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 92 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 12 | S 16 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 7 | S 6 | SW 18 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | N 5 | SSW 11 |
103 | 75 | 52 | 81 | 61 | 129 | 96 | 21 | 31 | 192 | 23 | 35 | 22 | 37 | 103 | 99 | 62 | 13 | 39 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | N 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 3 | — | NE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — | NE 4 |
27 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 30 | 13 | 13 | 10 | — | 15 | 25 | 16 | 26 | 26 | — | 24 | 26 | — | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 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.










