Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,096 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 16s 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright surfers, Rusty here with the call for Playa Negra over the next couple of weeks.
We've got some serious energy scheduled, but it's all about picking the right windows. The water's a warm 86°F, a touch above average, so no wetsuit worries.
The big news is the long-period SW groundswell. It hits on Saturday, August 15th with a 5ft swell and a massive 16-second period, packing a combined energy of 1113 – that's proper power. Saturday morning has a fresh ENE cross-off breeze, keeping things workable, but the afternoon is cleaner as the wind goes offshore. Sunday the 16th still has 4ft waves with that long 15-second period, and the Sunday afternoon session is your best call for the early part of the week with moderate offshore winds and very good conditions. Monday the 17th stays fun with chest-high waves and light winds.
For the absolute highlight, you need to be in the water on Tuesday the 18th morning. It's glassy, with a 3ft SW swell (14-second period) and barely a breath of wind. That's pristine, perfect Playa Negra. Get it before the wind swings in the afternoon.
The swell backs off a bit mid-week, but there are still clean moments. Look at Thursday, August 20th afternoon for some glassy 4ft waves, though the period is a short 7 seconds, so less energy. The real pay-off for those who can wait is Friday, August 28th. The morning is glassy with a 2-3ft, 20-second SW groundswell (842 combined energy) – that's deceptive power. But Saturday the 29th morning is the standout: a solid 3-4ft swell with excellent conditions for experienced surfers (1140 combined energy). That's the session to circle, though the afternoon gets ruined by onshore wind. Remember, this spot can get crowded sometimes, so for these clean standouts, expect a few friends out there.
The second week mostly sits around 2ft to 2ft. You'll find clean mornings with offshore breezes on the 23rd and 24th with a very long period, but you'll be working for scraps. It's not a washout, just a lull.
Best bets: Tuesday the 18th morning for clean fun for everyone, and Saturday the 29th morning for the experienced crew looking for a proper session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat morning, light winds from the ENE by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1109 | 897 | 1041 | 606 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 500 | 410 | 379 | 407 | 477 | 355 | 305 | 238 | 183 | 147 | 296 | 76 | 54 | 100 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 4:34PM2.52m | 5:00AM2.63m | 5:18PM2.43m | 5:42AM2.56m | 6:01PM2.29m | 6:23AM2.44m | 6:44PM2.14m | 7:05AM2.29m | 7:29PM1.98m | 7:50AM2.14m | 8:18PM1.83m | 8:41AM2.01m | 9:17PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:28AM0.13m | 10:44PM0.05m | 11:13AM0.17m | 11:26PM0.15m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:07AM0.28m | 12:41PM0.36m | 00:48AM0.43m | 1:27PM0.49m | 1:31AM0.58m | 2:16PM0.61m | 2:20AM0.71m | 3:14PM0.71m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 32 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 1109 | 897 | 1041 | 606 | 606 | 598 | 172 | 168 | 149 | 223 | 192 | 178 | 202 | 159 | 159 | 155 | 147 | 296 | 223 | 231 | 223 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 136 | 134 | 129 | 56 | 79 | 124 | 428 | 500 | 410 | 379 | 407 | 477 | 355 | 305 | 238 | 183 | 140 | 83 | 22 | 18 | 100 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | S 12 | SW 8 | S 11 | N 5 | S 11 | NNE 4 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | N 4 | NNW 8 | S 11 | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 4 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 134 | 3 | 38 | 17 | 21 | 3 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 36 | 76 | 54 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — |
| kJ | 45 | 28 | 30 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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