Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
30.3°C
2.2° 

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 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,087 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Playa Samara in the next 16 days are 1.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 8th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 10th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 10th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next 16 days for our little corner of Costa Rica.

The short-term forecast is looking promising, with a solid SW groundswell hanging around for a good part of the first week. The water is cooking at a warm 87°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so a spring suit is just extra baggage.

Right off the bat, Tuesday morning, September 8th, at Playa Samara is a real gem. We’ve got a clean 3 ft SW swell coming in with a 13-second period, and the wind is dead glassy from the east at just 3 mph. It’s a beach and reef setup, so that long period (13 seconds) will push in some nice lines. The combined wave energy is moderate at (579), and with those calm conditions, it’s going to be a fantastic session for beginners and intermediate surfers alike. You might have some company, as crowds are possible, but it’s worth it.

Thursday morning, September 10th, is the standout for the stronger surfer. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the SW with a period of 17 seconds, packing a lot more punch. The combined energy jumps to a strong (1044), and we’ve got glassy conditions again with a light NE breeze. This is getting into the territory that’s better for experienced surfers – over 5 ft on a long period like that will have some real push. The long period (17 seconds) means those waves will have some serious shape and energy, and the offshore wind will keep the faces clean.

The mornings continue to be the go-to. Friday morning, September 11th, and Saturday morning, September 12th, both offer glassy conditions with a SW swell around 4 ft and 3 ft respectively. The longer period drops a bit by Saturday, but the windows of clean surf are there.

The middle of the week is a bit of a mixed bag. The afternoons are almost all blown out by onshore winds and risk of thunderstorms, so stick to the dawn patrol. There’s a gap in quality surf from around Sunday afternoon, September 13th, through to Wednesday morning, September 17th, where the wind is a bit more crossed-up or onshore. The swell is still there, but the quality drops off.

Looking further out, Thursday morning, September 17th, is a bright spot in the second week. We get back to glassy conditions with a 3 ft SW swell and a 14-second period. The energy is moderate (575), and the offshore breeze from the south will make for some clean, fun waves. The long period (14 seconds) is a groundswell, and it’s still a beach and reef break, so it should offer some good, lined-up waves.

The final weekend, September 20th and 21st, has some lookers too. Sunday morning, September 20th, has a clean 3 ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period and a light cross-offshore wind. That’s a lot of energy for the size, and it’ll be a great option for a point or reef setup. Early Monday morning, September 21st, is also glassy with a similar 3 ft SW swell.

Overall, the best bets are the glassy mornings in the first week. Don’t get caught out by the afternoon wind machine.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
0
3
4
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
13
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
1.2
SW
18
1.3
SW
17
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.2
SW
16
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
224
302
302
314
871
974
728
719
701
485
398
346
341
215
171
138
234
173
246
379
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
N
5
E
10
S
5
NNE
5
ENE
10
SSW
5
NNE
5
NNE
10
SSW
5
E
5
NE
10
SSW
5
E
5
ESE
10
SSW
5
NE
5
ESE
10
S
5
NW
Wind State
cross-on
off
cross
on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
on
glassy
glassy
on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
High Tide
00:44AM2.31m
1:04PM2.42m
1:38AM2.49m
1:57PM2.52m
2:25AM2.64m
2:45PM2.58m
3:08AM2.73m
3:29PM2.60m
3:49AM2.76m
4:10PM2.57m
4:28AM2.72m
4:50PM2.49m
Low Tide
6:26PM0.39m
6:52AM0.46m
7:21PM0.27m
7:48AM0.31m
8:09PM0.17m
8:37AM0.19m
8:54PM0.12m
9:22AM0.12m
9:35PM0.11m
10:03AM0.10m
10:15PM0.16m
10:43AM0.14m
10:53PM0.24m
thunderstorm
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:46
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:44
5:44
5:43
 mm
3
7
3
1
3
1
4
2
5
1
4
6
7
2
7
19
Temp °C
30
27
30
29
27
29
29
27
30
29
28
30
29
28
29
29
27
28
28
27
Feels °C
34
31
32
32
32
32
33
32
33
33
34
33
33
32
33
33
31
32
32
31
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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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