Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SW swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 (Aug 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m 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 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, lookin’ at the same charts for Playa Negra in feet and miles per hour. This break is consistent, advanced, and it really wants a WNW swell direction, but we’ve got a slow start.
Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are total duds—tiny waves, maybe 2 to 2 feet, and the wind is messy. The water is 86°F, which is 4°F warmer than normal, so it’s noticeably warmer than average.
Friday the 7th, we finally see a pulse. Swell runs 2 feet from the SSW, but the period is 18 seconds—that’s a proper groundswell. The energy is 414 in the morning and 456 in the afternoon. The wind goes offshore in the morning from the ENE at 12 mph, then glassy in the afternoon. Small, but clean. Saturday the 8th morning is even better: ENE wind at 12 mph, cross-off, clean, with 3 feet of SSW swell and 16-second period. Energy is 610. The afternoon goes glassy with 4 feet, 15-second period. That’s a standout session.
Sunday the 9th holds clean, offshore conditions in the morning with 3 feet of 14-second SW swell. Energy is 431. Fun, mellow, and you’ll see a few heads out—crowds are “sometimes” here.
The big one is Friday the 14th afternoon. The swell hits 5 feet from the SW, 18-second period, with a massive 1354 energy reading. The wind is light from the ESE, cross-off and clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. That’s the date to circle. Saturday the 15th morning holds 5 feet as well, but it’s a fresh breeze from the ENE at 19 mph, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. The energy is 1099, so there’s serious power.
Sunday the 16th afternoon is another beauty: 4 feet, 15-second SW swell, clean, energy at 637. Very good.
From the 17th onward, the swell sits around 4 to 4 feet, with 14- to 15-second periods. The mornings are clean with offshore or cross-off winds from the east or northeast. The afternoons get a bit wind-affected, but the mornings are golden.
The first week is a slow burn, but the second week, especially the 14th, 15th, and 16th, is the real deal. Solid SW groundswell, clean offshore winds, and that long period will make Playa Negra a rippin’ left. If you can get out there around the 14th, you’ll be smiling.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 31°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 68 | 74 | 125 | 64 | 212 | 209 | 305 | 376 | 441 | 509 | 309 | 401 | 384 | 196 | 199 | 331 | 355 | 268 | 455 | 212 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:16PM2.04m | 7:44AM2.33m | 8:10PM1.96m | 8:40AM2.28m | 9:14PM1.90m | 9:45AM2.25m | 10:28PM1.90m | 10:57AM2.27m | 11:42PM1.98m | 12:07PM2.33m | 00:51AM2.12m | 1:11PM2.42m | 1:50AM2.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:19AM0.45m | 2:09PM0.49m | 2:12AM0.51m | 3:11PM0.51m | 3:16AM0.57m | 4:20PM0.51m | 4:29AM0.58m | 5:32PM0.44m | 5:44AM0.52m | 6:37PM0.33m | 6:53AM0.42m | 7:36PM0.20m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — |
mm | 6 | 10 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 26 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 25 | 32 | 34 | 26 | 34 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 84 | 63 | 64 | 35 | 123 | 94 | 79 | 376 | 441 | 509 | 309 | 401 | 384 | 196 | 199 | 331 | 355 | 268 | 308 | 212 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 | S 11 | S 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | N 5 | SSW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | N 5 |
| kJ | 68 | 74 | 125 | 47 | 212 | 205 | 305 | 144 | 169 | 52 | 101 | 55 | 34 | 124 | 125 | 11 | 253 | 38 | 455 | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 6 | N 4 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 8 | N 5 | S 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 55 | 6 | 3 | 64 | 159 | 209 | 151 | 74 | 69 | 7 | 39 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 40 | 157 | 36 | 152 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | SE 3 | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 33 | 18 | 16 | 6 | 12 | — | 7 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 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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