Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 502 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3AM. 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+) | 3AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's coming for this stretch of coast over the next couple of weeks. It ain't gonna be non-stop pumping, but there are a few golden windows of clean, glassy surf if you pick your moments.
The spot we're watching is Playa Samara. Right now, the water is sitting at 87°, which is way warmer than average for this time of year—feels like a hot tub. The first solid chance to get wet starts on the morning of Saturday the 12th. You've got a clean 3ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is light enough to keep the surface smooth. That's your first real window.
The standout session is the morning of Tuesday the 15th. The wind goes glassy, the swell is a clean 2ft from the SW with a long 18-second period, and the energy is sitting in the moderate zone. That long period means the waves will have more push and shape, perfect for a mellow break like this. It's beginner-friendly size, so everyone can get a piece.
Also look at Thursday morning the 17th. Another glassy dawn with a 3ft SW swell (14-second period) and solid energy. That's the best combo of size and glass in the first week. Crowds are possible, so get out early if you want a peak to yourself.
The second week gets interesting on the 20th (Sunday morning): 3ft SW swell, 19-second period, glassy conditions, and a big jump in energy. That's a very solid combo for this break. Then the 22nd sees a spike to 8ft SW swell, but that short 8-second period combined with the size is going to be too much for this spot—only for experienced surfers, with strong wave energy. From the 23rd onward, it's back to small and glassy mornings, with clean 3ft to 2ft swells on the 24th and 26th, offering long periods and calm winds.
The bottom line? Mornings are your friend. The best on offer is the morning of the 15th for pure glass and quality, and the 20th for a touch more power without getting out of hand. The 22nd is strictly for the experts. If you're patient, there's some good clean surf to be had.
Stay salty.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 550 | 459 | 346 | 341 | 215 | 140 | 138 | 234 | 173 | 246 | 379 | 249 | 499 | 427 | 502 | 477 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:08AM2.73m | 3:29PM2.60m | 3:49AM2.76m | 4:10PM2.57m | 4:28AM2.72m | 4:50PM2.49m | 5:06AM2.62m | 5:29PM2.37m | 5:44AM2.49m | 6:08PM2.22m | 6:23AM2.33m | 6:51PM2.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:54PM0.12m | 9:22AM0.12m | 9:35PM0.11m | 10:03AM0.10m | 10:15PM0.16m | 10:43AM0.14m | 10:53PM0.24m | 11:23AM0.22m | 11:31PM0.36m | 12:02PM0.35m | 00:10AM0.50m | 12:44PM0.49m | 00:52AM0.65m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 5 | — | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — | 4 | 10 | — | 4 | 25 |
Temp °C | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 550 | 459 | 346 | 341 | 215 | 101 | 99 | 90 | 89 | 108 | 131 | 105 | 120 | 427 | 502 | 477 | 418 | 407 | 401 | 276 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 48 | 53 | 58 | 66 | 76 | 140 | 138 | 134 | 173 | 246 | 379 | 203 | 499 | 129 | 71 | 69 | 46 | 89 | 76 | 71 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 18 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 13 | S 10 | SW 22 | SW 22 | SW 21 |
| kJ | 37 | 10 | 9 | 80 | 71 | 70 | 68 | 234 | 73 | 71 | 69 | 249 | 109 | 100 | 95 | 13 | 18 | 123 | 118 | 220 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 9 | 9 | 103 | 9 | 9 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 51 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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