Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s 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 (Aug 28) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) 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 0.8m 11s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a good look at what's coming our way for Playa Negra.
We've got a solid run of surf on the cards, with a real standout building for the experienced crew at the end of the first week and into the second. The water is sitting at a warm 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might not need that thick wetsuit.
The action kicks off Friday the 28th of August, but it's a slow starter. A morning swell of 3ft from the SW with a very long 19-second period is pushing moderate wave energy (654), but the cross-off breeze from the ENE at 19 mph keeps it clean. The afternoon cleans up even more with the wind turning offshore, but the swell drops to 2ft. It's a good warm-up, but nothing to write home about.
Saturday the 29th is where we start to see some life. The morning brings a jump to 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period. The wave energy is pumping strong at (1230). Offshore winds from the ENE at 12 mph are going to make it excellent for those who can handle it. This is advanced territory, folks. The afternoon on Saturday turns sketchy with a cross-on wind messing it up.
Sunday the 30th through to Tuesday the 1st of September offer some fun, smaller waves in the 3ft to 5ft range, but the winds are a bit of a mixed bag. The early mornings look the cleanest.
Now, here's where we get the real standout. Look at Saturday the 5th of September. The morning session is absolute magic for the experts. We’ve got a clean 6ft SW swell, with a 16-second period, producing strong wave energy (1442). The wind is light offshore from the east at just 3 mph. This is prime, punchy Playa Negra. It's a little dialled back in the afternoon as the onshore kicks in, but that morning window is the best on offer.
And it keeps rolling. Friday the 11th of September is another cracker for the advanced crew. Another morning with 5ft of SW groundswell (16-second period) and light offshore winds from the ENE. The energy is up there at (1030), and it’s going to be clean as a whistle.
The following morning on Saturday the 12th of September, we’ve got glassy conditions with 4ft swell, a nice way to wind down the two-week outlook. Remember, this long-period SW groundswell is going to wrap in nicely around the point here at Playa Negra. It’s a consistent spot, so if you’re an advanced surfer, pencil in those Saturday and Friday mornings.
Keep an eye on the forecast though, because a run this good is one to jump on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Fri morning, light winds from the SE by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 531 | 354 | 1215 | 1230 | 1314 | 1105 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 451 | 386 | 336 | 301 | 297 | 220 | 246 | 326 | 371 | 291 | 577 | 1099 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:55PM2.28m | 3:20AM2.35m | 3:32PM2.33m | 3:54AM2.45m | 4:09PM2.34m | 4:30AM2.51m | 4:47PM2.32m | 5:07AM2.53m | 5:26PM2.27m | 5:46AM2.50m | 6:09PM2.19m | 6:30AM2.44m | 6:57PM2.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:06PM0.30m | 9:27AM0.36m | 9:40PM0.25m | 10:04AM0.29m | 10:14PM0.23m | 10:42AM0.25m | 10:50PM0.24m | 11:22AM0.24m | 11:28PM0.27m | 12:04PM0.28m | 00:10AM0.33m | 12:52PM0.35m | 00:59AM0.42m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 32 | 27 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 27 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 35 | 34 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 531 | 354 | 1215 | 1230 | 1314 | 1105 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 451 | 386 | 336 | 301 | 72 | 220 | 238 | 238 | 371 | 48 | 577 | 1099 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 6 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 45 | 35 | 152 | 37 | 57 | 52 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 40 | 45 | 62 | 68 | 297 | 55 | 246 | 326 | 144 | 291 | 36 | 96 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 11 | — | N 5 | W 15 | N 4 | N 4 | NW 10 | N 4 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 6 |
| kJ | 123 | 125 | 14 | 38 | — | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 84 | 112 | 155 | 19 | 31 | 32 | 144 | 110 | 20 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 318 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 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.
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