Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 657 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period with SSW 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 (Jul 09) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m 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 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
Alright, this is Rusty checkin' in from the water's edge, looking at the next couple of weeks. We've got Playa Negra on the radar, but honestly, it's a bit of a slow burn.
Right now, the surf is pretty lackluster. We're seeing a small, long-period groundswell from the SW, but it's only pushing 4ft with a 16-second period. The energy is moderate (756), but the cross-on wind from the SW is putting a bit of a chop on it. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 86°F.
For the first week, from Wednesday the 8th all the way through to the 16th, it's a whole lot of nothing special. Swell stays tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the wind is a mixed bag. There's a brief moment on Saturday afternoon, the 11th, where it goes glassy and clean with 3ft of SW swell, but it's not enough to get excited about. The current is weak and the waves are small, so it's a real struggle for any decent ride. The best call for beginners would be to stay on the beach, because anything over 5ft is a no-go for them, and we aren't even close to that.
Things start to perk up a bit in the second week. The real standout is Monday, July 20th. The morning sees a 3ft swell from the SSW with a moderate offshore wind from the ENE, making for clean, groomed lines. The energy is moderate (535), and the conditions are labeled as "very good." That's the best window we've got. Tuesday the 21st is also promising, with a 3ft SW swell, gentle offshore winds, and solid energy (555). The direction is a tight match for the break's optimum WNW swell, so expect some decent shape. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so you might have some company, but the quality will be worth it.
After that, it drops off again. The end of the run on the 23rd Thursday has a small 2ft SW swell with clean offshore winds, but it's back to the smaller stuff.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off for any serious surfing. The second week has a couple of bright spots, with Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st being the best on offer. The long period of the swell (15-16 seconds) will make for some nice, powerful lines at the point, but keep in mind it might be a bit straight for the beach break. Keep your eyes on the forecast, because it can change.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | N 5 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 748 | 657 | 544 | 419 | 314 | 382 | 279 | 403 | 372 | 362 | 323 | 297 | 264 | 130 | 200 | 186 | 16 | 140 | 207 | 144 | 181 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | off |
High Tide | 8:38PM1.93m | 9:08AM2.28m | 9:40PM1.91m | 10:09AM2.31m | 10:47PM1.92m | 11:14AM2.36m | 11:56PM2.00m | 12:19PM2.43m | 1:01AM2.12m | 1:21PM2.52m | 2:01AM2.26m | 2:19PM2.59m | 2:57AM2.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:39AM0.55m | 3:38PM0.54m | 3:40AM0.55m | 4:43PM0.48m | 4:46AM0.53m | 5:49PM0.38m | 5:55AM0.47m | 6:51PM0.26m | 7:00AM0.37m | 7:49PM0.14m | 8:02AM0.28m | 8:43PM0.03m | 9:00AM0.20m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 |
 | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | 6:08 |
mm | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 29 |
Feels °C | 35 | 30 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 27 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | N 5 | S 15 | SSW 14 | N 5 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 748 | 657 | 544 | 419 | 314 | 382 | 279 | 403 | 85 | 92 | 323 | 297 | 264 | 130 | 200 | 186 | 16 | 155 | 207 | 33 | 181 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 6 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 110 | 110 | 87 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 93 | 74 | 372 | 362 | 54 | 44 | 45 | 38 | 35 | 35 | 159 | 140 | 140 | 128 | 164 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | W 15 | — | N 4 | SSW 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 16 | S 16 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 8 | 4 | — | 3 | 47 | 37 | 108 | 62 | 134 | 86 | 71 | 120 | 42 | 63 | 134 | 132 | 23 | 15 | 152 | 144 | 108 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 5 | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NE 3 | N 3 | — | N 5 | N 5 | — | NNE 5 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 3 | — | 6 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 2 | — | 11 | 11 | — | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 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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