Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
30.0° C
1.8° 

Playa Samara surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Playa Samara surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,682 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Playa Samara this week:

The surf forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Playa Samara in the next 16 days are 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 23rd Jul)2ft (0.6m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 21s
Most Powerful 3PM (Tue 28th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Playa Samara has cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks.

Playa Samara is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the south-southwest. It’s a fairly consistent spot, ideal for beginners. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.

We’re in for a bit of a slow start, but once the swell gets its act together, there are some real gems to be had. The first recommendation kicks off on Thursday, July 23rd. The morning is just ordinary with a small 2ft SW swell and a cross-off wind, but the real story is Thursday afternoon. The wind goes glassy, the swell direction cleans up, and we get a nice spike in energy (334) from a long-period 26-second SW groundswell. It’s not big, only 1ft, but those long, clean lines will be a joy on a longboard or a funboard. The energy is moderate, but the quality is there.

Friday the 24th morning is a standout. The wind is offshore from the NNE, the swell bumps up to 2ft from the SW, and the period is a solid 24 seconds. The energy jumps to 743 (moderate), and the conditions are clean. This is a great time for a beginner or intermediate to get some dreamy, peeling waves. The afternoon turns onshore and messy, so get out early.

The weekend shapes up nicely. Saturday the 25th morning is glassy with a 3ft SW swell and a 21-second period. The energy is pumping at 761 – that’s a solid, moderate, fun-sized swell. It’s not big, but it’s clean. Sunday the 26th is the best of the weekend. Morning is glassy with a 4ft SW swell, and the afternoon gets even better. The wind stays glassy, the swell hits 4ft, and the energy climbs to 1135 (strong wave energy). The period drops to 18 seconds, but that’s still a quality groundswell. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but the size is still manageable for a confident intermediate. The afternoon does have a risk of thunderstorms, so keep an eye on the sky.

Monday the 27th morning is another top pick. Offshore wind from the NNE, a 4ft SW swell, and a 19-second period. The energy is very strong at 1414. This is clean, powerful, and lined up. The afternoon deteriorates with a cross-onshore wind. Tuesday the 28th gets a bit bigger and more challenging. The morning has a 5ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-shore, making it a bit bumpy. By the afternoon, the swell hits 6ft, and the onshore wind makes it a messy, sloppy affair. This is getting too big and choppy for the beginners, and the quality is poor.

Wednesday the 29th morning is a hidden gem. The wind is glassy, the swell is 5ft from the SW, and the energy is still strong at 1243. The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers, but that 5ft is right on the edge of being too much for learners. The afternoon gets cross-onshore again.

The following week sees the swell back off. Thursday the 30th morning is glassy with a 4ft SW swell, but the energy drops to 625. It’s still fun. Friday the 31st morning has an offshore wind and a 3ft SW swell – clean and rideable. The weekend of August 1st and 2nd is small, with 2ft to 3ft SW swells, and the wind is generally light. It’s surfable but nothing to get crazy about.

The best session on offer is clearly Sunday the 26th afternoon, with that glassy, 4ft SW swell and strong energy. The Monday the 27th morning with the offshore wind and 4ft swell is a very close second. Get on those.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
3
1
3
3
2
4
3
4
4
4
2
4
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.4
SW
26
0.9
SW
8
0.7
SW
24
0.5
SW
24
1
SW
21
0.9
SW
21
0.9
SW
20
1.3
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.3
SW
18
1.4
SW
17
1.1
SW
19
1
SW
19
1.6
SW
18
1.4
SW
18
1.7
SW
17
1.6
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
92
93
171
101
563
271
898
658
563
1210
800
996
1185
800
715
1465
1213
1682
1225
Wind (km/h)
5
ENE
5
NNW
5
W
10
NNE
10
NNE
10
S
10
ESE
5
NNE
5
SSW
5
NNE
5
NNE
5
W
5
ENE
5
NNE
10
SW
5
E
5
ESE
10
SSE
5
ESE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
off
on
cross
glassy
on
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-on
glassy
cross
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:06PM1.94m
9:29AM2.17m
10:06PM1.85m
10:26AM2.09m
11:10PM1.81m
11:26AM2.07m
00:12AM1.84m
12:23PM2.11m
1:07AM1.91m
1:14PM2.18m
1:55AM2.01m
2:00PM2.26m
2:37AM2.13m
Low Tide
3:07AM0.73m
4:02PM0.69m
4:05AM0.82m
5:03PM0.71m
5:06AM0.85m
6:02PM0.68m
6:06AM0.83m
6:56PM0.61m
7:01AM0.77m
7:43PM0.52m
7:49AM0.69m
8:24PM0.43m
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:06
6:06
6:06
6:06
6:05
 mm
9
1
3
2
1
6
2
3
2
1
3
11
Temp °C
26
29
28
25
29
29
26
29
28
27
29
29
27
29
28
27
28
28
26
Feels °C
30
32
32
26
32
32
29
33
31
32
33
34
32
32
31
32
32
31
30
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Playa Samara Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Playa Samara provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Playa Samara can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Playa Samara 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 Samara) 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 Samara 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 Samara is 31 km (19 miles) from Nicoya. If you plan a holiday in Golfo de Nicoya, 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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