Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SW swell with 728 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Negra in the next 16 days are 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be 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+) | 6PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's cut through the chatter and look at what’s coming our way for Playa Negra.
We’ve got a long stretch ahead, and to be honest, the first week is going to be a bit of a grind. The swell is rolling in from the SW, which is what we want, but the size is small and the consistency just isn’t there for most of it. The water is a balmy 87°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – over 4°F warmer, so you can leave the wetsuit at home.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday the 16th of September. The morning is going to be the pick of the whole first week. We’ve got a 4ft SW groundswell with a solid 16-second period, giving it some proper energy (840 combined energy). The wind is coming out of the East, which is offshore and clean for Playa Negra. It’s not huge, but for an advanced beach and point setup, that’s going to produce some cracking barrels if you’re on the money.
After that, things flatten out again for a few days. The mornings on the 17th and 18th are passable with smaller 3ft swell, but the winds are better. Friday the 18th of September morning is absolutely glassy, zero wind. That’s a rare treat, even for a 3ft swell, you’ll get some silky smooth lines.
Now, if you’ve got patience, the standout is Monday the 21st of September. Monday morning is looking like the best session of the entire forecast. The wind swings WSW at 3 mph, dead glassy. The swell ticks up a notch to 3ft from the SW with a long 18-second period, delivering a solid 570 combined energy. It's not a big wave, but that combination of glassy conditions and a long-period groundswell will make the points and reef sections at Playa Negra connect like a dream. For advanced surfers, this is the one to circle on the calendar.
Be warned, though, by Wednesday the 23rd of September afternoon, things get a bit heavy and tricky. That 8ft SSW swell hitting with only 9 seconds of period and onshore wind is only for the experts, and even then it looks messy.
In summary, the first week is a slow burn with small, inconsistent surf. The clear winners are the mornings of the 16th and 18th, but the absolute stand-out, the one you don't want to miss, is the glassy morning of the 21st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 701 | 623 | 459 | 346 | 341 | 215 | 140 | 138 | 299 | 219 | 246 | 460 | 262 | 587 | 508 | 728 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:44PM2.46m | 3:08AM2.60m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:53PM0.12m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 9 | — | 4 | 21 |
Temp °C | 33 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 37 | 33 | 32 | 37 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 34 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 701 | 623 | 459 | 346 | 341 | 215 | 78 | 76 | 92 | 69 | 92 | 105 | 105 | 587 | 508 | 728 | 620 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 15 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 63 | 47 | 51 | 58 | 49 | 44 | 140 | 138 | 134 | 219 | 246 | 460 | 262 | 113 | 120 | 73 | 68 | 65 | 90 | 73 | 66 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | N 4 | N 4 | WNW 10 | SW 18 | N 4 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | N 4 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 13 | N 4 | SW 23 | N 4 | N 4 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 24 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 80 | 6 | 51 | 68 | 299 | 73 | 71 | 9 | 252 | 109 | 95 | 13 | 3 | 86 | 9 | 6 | 220 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 5 | NNE 4 | — | — | N 5 | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 11 | 11 | — | — | 11 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 25 | 0 | 13 | 70 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 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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