
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SW swell with 507 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 30) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
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 what’s shaping up for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks.
First up, we’ve got a solid little run of surf starting now. The water is sitting at a balmy 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be comfortable in just boardshorts.
Thursday morning, July 30, is where it’s at to kick things off. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the SW, with a nice long period of 14 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is a solid moderate 551. The wind is light from the NNE, making it cross-offshore and clean. This is a standout for the period. This is a beach and reef setup, so that long period will give you some nice, well-shaped lines, though expect a bit of a lull between sets. It’s a beginner-friendly spot at this size, so crowds are possible.
Friday morning, July 31, remains good. The swell drops slightly to 3ft, still from the SW, but the wind goes glassy from the NE. Clean conditions again, with moderate energy (385).
Saturday morning, August 1, keeps the trend going. Clean 3ft SW swell with cross-offshore breeze. Still good.
Sunday morning, August 2, is glassy again with a 2ft SW swell, but the period is a very long 15 seconds. The energy is moderate (278). For a beach and reef break, that long period can make waves a bit too straight, but it’ll still be rideable and clean.
There’s a bit of a lull in quality through the middle of the week – Monday and Tuesday mornings are still glassy and clean, but the swell drops to 2ft to 3ft. The energy dips into the low 200s to 300s. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.
Now, look ahead to Thursday, August 6, the afternoon turns glassy again with a 3ft S swell, and the energy jumps back up to 307. Not huge, but clean.
But the real highlight in the second week is Friday, August 7. The morning brings a clean 2ft SW swell, but the period is a very long 18 seconds, and the combined energy is a strong 551. That’s a lot of punch for a small wave. The wind is cross-offshore from the NNE. This is a standout for the period. Saturday morning, August 8, is also excellent: 3ft SW swell, 16-second period, energy at 561, and a clean cross-offshore breeze.
Then Sunday, August 9, is still good with 3ft SW swell and clean conditions.
The final real standout is Thursday, August 13. The morning session is glassy with a 3ft SW swell, a 17-second period, and a very strong energy reading of 720. That’s a lot of grunt. This is a promising one, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Friday, August 14, also looks good with glassy 3ft SW swell, 15-second period, and 590 energy.
So, overall, you’ve got a solid two weeks of clean, small-to-medium groundswell. The best bets are this Thursday morning, July 30, and next Friday, August 7, through Saturday, August 8. The long period swells will work fine at this spot, just be ready for those lulls.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
529 | 514 | 492 | 357 | 342 | 241 | 238 | 193 | 147 | 136 | 171 | 167 | 253 | 212 | 109 | 126 | 115 | 94 | 65 | 50 | 74 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | off | glassy | on | off | cross-off | on | cross | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:21PM2.38m | 3:52AM2.34m | 3:58PM2.40m | 4:27AM2.42m | 4:35PM2.40m | 5:02AM2.47m | 5:11PM2.36m | 5:37AM2.50m | 5:49PM2.31m | 6:14AM2.50m | 6:30PM2.23m | 6:55AM2.47m | 7:17PM2.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:14AM0.54m | 9:38PM0.31m | 9:53AM0.49m | 10:12PM0.28m | 10:31AM0.45m | 10:45PM0.29m | 11:09AM0.43m | 11:19PM0.31m | 11:47AM0.42m | 11:55PM0.36m | 12:29PM0.44m | 00:34AM0.41m | 1:15PM0.47m | 1:19AM0.48m | |||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 10 | 5 | — | 5 | 5 |
Temp °C | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
529 | 514 | 492 | 357 | 342 | 241 | 238 | 193 | 147 | 110 | 56 | 66 | 253 | 212 | 75 | 91 | 115 | 94 | 65 | 49 | 64 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 10 | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 7 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
22 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 27 | 17 | 17 | 91 | 124 | 32 | 171 | 167 | 64 | 49 | 109 | 126 | 77 | 73 | 50 | 50 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | W 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 15 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 |
4 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 15 | 21 | 136 | 85 | 118 | 19 | 68 | 84 | 7 | 38 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 16 | 9 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 16 | 9 | 45 | 16 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











