Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey mates, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for Playa Samara over the next couple weeks. We’ve got a steady run of SW groundswell, but the afternoon winds and storm risk will keep you on your toes.
Water temp is running a warm 87°, way above average for this time of year – boardshorts and a rash guard is all you need.
Kicking off Monday, August 24th, we’ve got a small 2ft swell from the SW with a long 18-second period and moderate energy (431). The morning is glassy with a light NNE breeze – real clean, gentle surf to start. Afternoon turns poor with cross-onshore wind.
Tuesday the 25th morning is clean again, cross-offshore breeze, same 2ft (299 energy). Good, but afternoon storms kill it.
Wednesday the 26th: glassy morning but only about 2–2ft (167 energy). Pretty weak, but okay for a tiny wave session.
Thursday the 27th morning looks marginal, but the afternoon glass-off with 2ft, 18-second swell (307 energy) is your best bet for clean little runners.
Friday the 28th morning bumps up to 3ft at 19 seconds (739 energy) with clean cross-offshore wind. Report says marginal quality, but the numbers are there.
Saturday, August 29th is a standout. Morning is glassy, swell jumps to 5ft, 16-second period, with energy at 1136. That’s a proper session for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and running. Afternoon turns onshore.
Sunday, August 30th doesn’t let up. Glassy morning, 5ft swell (993 energy). Still clean, still punchy. Best of the weekend if you’re an early riser.
Monday the 31st morning: glassy, 4ft swell (489 energy), period down to 13 seconds. A bit slower, but clean.
Tuesday September 1st: glassy morning, 3ft, 12-second swell (322 energy). Average.
Wednesday September 2nd: glassy again, 2ft but 18-second period (551 energy). Small but clean and lined up.
Now, Friday, September 4th is the big one. Glassy morning, 5ft SW swell, 17-second period, and 1564 combined energy. That’s a full-on groundswell with clean wind – the best session of the whole run. For experienced surfers only.
Saturday, September 5th backs it up: another glassy morning, 5ft swell (1341 energy). Still excellent.
Sunday the 6th fades with onshore wind and 4ft swell (725 energy).
Monday, September 7th is a sleeper: glassy, 3ft but with a huge 21-second period and 1012 energy. That long period makes it look way bigger on the reef.
Tuesday, September 8th closes strong: glassy morning, 4ft, 19-second period, 1500 energy. Expert-level punch.
Crowds show up sometimes here, so on the best mornings, you’ll have company. But with clean, glassy conditions and proper groundswell, it’s worth sharing the peak.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 7 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 243 | 322 | 211 | 206 | 191 | 110 | 107 | 94 | 112 | 76 | 242 | 450 | 358 | 1215 | 1017 | 1314 | 1001 | 911 | 821 | 549 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | glassy |
High Tide | 00:40AM1.89m | 12:49PM2.11m | 1:28AM2.04m | 1:35PM2.22m | 2:08AM2.20m | 2:17PM2.32m | 2:45AM2.35m | 2:55PM2.39m | 3:20AM2.48m | 3:32PM2.45m | 3:54AM2.58m | 4:09PM2.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:27PM0.69m | 6:37AM0.81m | 7:14PM0.58m | 7:27AM0.70m | 7:55PM0.47m | 8:10AM0.58m | 8:31PM0.38m | 8:49AM0.46m | 9:06PM0.30m | 9:27AM0.36m | 9:40PM0.25m | 10:04AM0.29m | 10:14PM0.23m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | 6 | 10 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 30 | 27 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 102 | 322 | 53 | 206 | 191 | 38 | 77 | 94 | 94 | 42 | 242 | 450 | 358 | 1215 | 1017 | 1314 | 1001 | 911 | 821 | 549 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | S 9 | SW 16 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 7 | S 7 | SW 16 | S 7 | S 6 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 243 | 76 | 211 | 51 | 33 | 110 | 107 | 75 | 77 | 30 | 35 | 245 | 34 | 29 | 85 | 117 | 36 | 44 | 42 | 63 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | SW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 6 | — | S 10 | S 10 | W 15 | W 10 |
| kJ | 69 | 35 | 35 | 13 | 30 | 18 | 11 | 56 | 112 | 76 | 18 | 48 | 89 | 47 | 9 | — | 18 | 47 | 4 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 9 | 9 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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