Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checking in on the local lineup.
We’ve got a slow start on the cards, but the second half of this 16-day window is shaping up to be something special, especially if you’re an experienced surfer. The first few days are small, but the waiting game pays off big time.
We’re looking at Playa Negra as the main focus. The water here is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – not too shabby for a tropical session.
The week kicks off Monday the 24th with tiny 2 ft SW swell, but the morning is clean with a gentle offshore breeze, so there’s a chance to get wet. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and it gets messy. Tuesday morning the 25th is similar – small but clean. Things stay small through Wednesday and Thursday, with 2 ft waves, but Thursday afternoon the 27th goes glassy, making those tiny waves feel a bit more fun. Friday the 28th sees a bump in energy, with the morning swell hitting 3 ft and a clean cross-off breeze, but it’s a bit jumbled.
Now, hold onto your board. Saturday the 29th is the first real standout. Morning surf pushes up to 5 ft from the SW, with a clean offshore breeze and serious wave energy pumping. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 5 ft, it’s getting a bit much for beginners. Sunday the 30th keeps that 5 ft SW swell going, though a bit less energy. Conditions are still clean in the morning, offering very good surf.
The real magic arrives on Friday, September 4th. The morning is a gem: 6 ft of SW swell, glassy as a mirror, with massive wave energy. This is an excellent call for experienced surfers only. Keep in mind this is a long-period groundswell at 17 seconds, which will stand up perfectly on the point and reef at Playa Negra, but might close out a bit on a beachbreak. Saturday morning the 5th doubles down with 6 ft waves and a complete glass-off – another top-tier session for the advanced crew. With that much energy, the swell is strong and powerful.
Overall, if you’re an experienced surfer, lock in the mornings of September 4th and 5th. They are the absolute best on offer, with chest-to-head-high waves and perfect wind. Don't bother with the afternoons, as the wind turns and picks up the chop. For everyone else, the morning sessions from Saturday the 29th through Monday the 1st offer fun, clean waves in the waist-high range. Crowds are possible at Playa Negra, as it’s a well-known spot, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 255 | 305 | 390 | 211 | 206 | 191 | 110 | 107 | 74 | 154 | 155 | 248 | 531 | 354 | 1215 | 1123 | 1314 | 1001 | 899 | 821 | 630 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 11:51AM1.94m | 00:36AM1.79m | 12:46PM2.02m | 1:25AM1.93m | 1:34PM2.12m | 2:07AM2.08m | 2:16PM2.21m | 2:44AM2.22m | 2:55PM2.28m | 3:20AM2.35m | 3:32PM2.33m | 3:54AM2.45m | 4:09PM2.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:26PM0.67m | 6:33AM0.78m | 7:14PM0.57m | 7:24AM0.68m | 7:54PM0.47m | 8:08AM0.56m | 8:31PM0.38m | 8:48AM0.45m | 9:06PM0.30m | 9:27AM0.36m | 9:40PM0.25m | 10:04AM0.29m | 10:14PM0.23m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 36 | 31 | 31 | 35 | 31 | 29 | 34 | 35 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 33 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 104 | 102 | 390 | 211 | 206 | 191 | 110 | 48 | 57 | 73 | 70 | 248 | 531 | 354 | 1215 | 1123 | 1314 | 1001 | 899 | 821 | 630 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 11 | S 6 | S 11 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 7 |
| kJ | 255 | 305 | 76 | 55 | 52 | 33 | 30 | 107 | 74 | 76 | 106 | 43 | 45 | 33 | 40 | 27 | 114 | 41 | 50 | 64 | 50 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | N 4 | SW 11 | SW 11 | N 4 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | N 5 | SW 14 | SW 16 | S 13 | SSW 11 | — | S 10 | SSW 15 | S 10 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 72 | 69 | 49 | 34 | 6 | 30 | 30 | 3 | 56 | 154 | 155 | 12 | 123 | 125 | 14 | 40 | — | 18 | 45 | 17 | 34 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | — | — | N 4 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 | S 7 | N 4 | — | NNE 3 | — | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 |
| kJ | 7 | — | — | 9 | — | 10 | 2 | — | 6 | 128 | 1 | — | 8 | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 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.
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