Surf Forecasts:
Playa Negra surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 336 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 01) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s 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 1.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Negra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, switching to feet and knots for the imperial crew.
Let’s talk about Playa Negra. The water is warm, about 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
The first few days are a slow start. Friday the 31st of July has a small 3ft SW swell with moderate energy, but it’s only marginal. Saturday and Sunday stay small, with waves around 2ft to 3ft. The first real highlight is the morning of Monday the 3rd of August. We’ve got a 3ft SW swell, a solid 14-second period, and glassy wind. That’s a rare clean window, and the energy is picking up. It’s small, but it’ll be a joy to paddle out into.
The second week is where the real promise lives. From the 7th of August onwards, things get serious. Friday the 7th of August morning has a 2ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. That’s a clean, powerful line coming in, with offshore wind and strong energy. The afternoon goes glassy with even more push.
The absolute standout is Saturday the 8th of August. The morning sees a 3ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, offshore wind, and very strong energy. The afternoon is even better with a 4ft SW swell, offshore wind, and a 15-second period. This is the best day of the whole outlook. The break is an advanced spot, and crowds are sometimes a thing here, so expect to share the peak.
The following week keeps the pulse going. Tuesday the 11th of August morning has a steady 3ft SW swell, offshore wind, and strong energy. Friday the 14th of August afternoon is another massive highlight: a 3ft SW swell, a very long 18-second period, light offshore wind, and massive energy. That’s a groundswell that will wrap perfectly around the point. Saturday the 15th of August sees the biggest swell height at 4ft, but the wind is cross-off in the morning, so the afternoon with light winds will be the call.
First few days are small and for the die-hards. The days to circle are the 8th of August and the 14th of August afternoon. That’s when the quality and the energy line up for an advanced crew. The long period swells mean you’ll have time between sets, but when they come, they’ll be packing a punch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 357 | 342 | 326 | 238 | 234 | 147 | 108 | 171 | 167 | 231 | 208 | 94 | 108 | 89 | 93 | 69 | 49 | 74 | 123 | 149 | 212 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:58PM2.30m | 4:27AM2.30m | 4:35PM2.29m | 5:02AM2.35m | 5:11PM2.26m | 5:37AM2.38m | 5:50PM2.20m | 6:15AM2.39m | 6:30PM2.13m | 6:56AM2.37m | 7:16PM2.04m | 7:44AM2.33m | 8:10PM1.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:52AM0.48m | 10:12PM0.28m | 10:30AM0.44m | 10:46PM0.28m | 11:08AM0.42m | 11:19PM0.30m | 11:47AM0.42m | 11:55PM0.34m | 12:29PM0.43m | 00:34AM0.39m | 1:15PM0.45m | 1:19AM0.45m | 2:09PM0.49m | 2:12AM0.51m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 42 | 20 |
Temp °C | 32 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 37 | 32 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 35 | 32 | 31 | 35 | 35 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 357 | 342 | 326 | 238 | 234 | 147 | 108 | 171 | 50 | 70 | 67 | 94 | 94 | 89 | 87 | 65 | 46 | 65 | 80 | 77 | 70 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 12 | N 5 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 15 | 16 | 17 | 72 | 11 | 124 | 104 | 85 | 167 | 231 | 208 | 84 | 108 | 73 | 93 | 69 | 49 | 74 | 123 | 149 | 212 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | N 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | NNE 4 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | N 4 | SW 6 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 25 | 4 | 24 | 27 | 66 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 116 | 69 | 66 | 83 | 15 | 61 | 22 | 54 | 5 | 6 | 30 | 25 | 159 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 3 | SW 6 | NNE 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | — | 17 | 17 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 14 | 6 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 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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