Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,261 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Playa Negra.
We’re starting quiet. The 13th and the morning of the 14th are a write-off, so don’t rush. Things kick off properly on Friday afternoon. The real standout early is Sunday the 16th. That afternoon you’ve got clean lines at 4ft from the SW, 15-second period, light offshore breeze. The energy is solid (606) and the conditions are dialed. That’s your first real session.
If you can wait, Monday the 17th is the pick of the week. Clean offshore wind, clean 4ft swell from the SW, 14-second period, and energy at 454-507. It’s consistent but not aggressive, and the wind keeps it glassy. Absolute fun. Playa Negra is an advanced wave, so don’t get caught inside. Water temp is about average for this time of year.
After that, the size drops. Tuesday the 18th has a good morning but goes choppy in the afternoon. From Wednesday the 19th through the 21st it’s mostly small and messy – there’s a real gap.
Then for the patient crew – Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th of August both have clean mornings, offshore wind, and a very long 18-20 second swell. It’s only 2ft, but with that period, it’ll have real shape and push on the point. It’s a long way out, but promising. Thursday the 28th of August also offers a clean 3ft, 16-second morning session. So, peak early in the first week on Monday the 17th, and a handful of clean, small gems in the second week if you’re game.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | 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 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 176 | 255 | 373 | 901 | 881 | 1160 | 1109 | 991 | 1041 | 677 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 500 | 410 | 428 | 346 | 477 | 355 | 350 | 238 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:00PM2.56m | 3:32AM2.58m | 3:48PM2.56m | 4:17AM2.64m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:16PM0.02m | 9:40AM0.14m | 10:01PM0.01m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 29 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 15 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 76 | 255 | 80 | 901 | 881 | 1160 | 1109 | 991 | 1041 | 677 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 500 | 410 | 428 | 115 | 145 | 131 | 158 | 151 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 8 | SW 16 | S 8 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 7 | S 7 | S 11 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 176 | 55 | 248 | 54 | 297 | 178 | 136 | 134 | 129 | 72 | 44 | 146 | 144 | 69 | 64 | 83 | 346 | 477 | 355 | 350 | 238 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SW 21 | SW 20 | S 11 | S 11 | S 20 | SSW 10 | N 4 | N 5 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 19 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | N 4 | NW 8 | SW 9 | NNW 7 | N 4 |
| kJ | 91 | 154 | 373 | 64 | 160 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 59 | 59 | 15 | 36 | 34 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 4 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NNE 3 | — | NNE 5 | — | NNE 4 | N 6 | — | — | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | — | 9 | — | 8 | 31 | — | — | 11 | 39 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 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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