Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 19s period, SW swell with 1,210 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. 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 1.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s switch to feet and miles an hour. This is Rusty, and here’s the lowdown for the next couple of weeks.
So, we’ve got a slow start, but the goods are coming. The main spot is Playa Samara, a beach and reef setup that’s wide open to the swell. The water is about 86°, which is a touch warmer than usual for the season.
The surf starts on Monday, July 20th. It’s not big, with a clean 3 ft swell from the SW, but the period is a very long 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is glassy, and the energy is moderate (631). It’s a solid, clean start, great for a beginner.
Tuesday the 21st is similar, with 3 ft SW swell and glassy conditions in the morning. The energy is still moderate (507). The period drops to 15 seconds, but still quality.
Wednesday the 22nd drops to 2 ft SW, but the morning has offshore wind, making for clean, fun waves. The energy is moderate (299).
The standout moment is early on Friday, July 24th. The swell is 2 ft from the SW, but the period goes ballistic at 24 seconds – that’s incredibly long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (725), and the wind is offshore. This is the best call of the whole window. The long period will make for long, walled-up waves, perfect for the reef. For experienced surfers, this is the one.
The weekend of the 25th and 26th sees the swell building. Saturday morning has 3 ft SW with a 21-second period and clean conditions, energy moderate (727). Sunday the 26th afternoon is a big one: 4 ft SW, 18-second period, with clean, cross-offshore wind. The energy is strong (1224), excellent for experienced surfers.
Then we hit a real punch from Monday, July 27th. The swell is 3 ft to 4 ft, with a 19-second period, but the energy goes strong (1541). The Monday afternoon session is glassy with a 4 ft SW swell – that’s a top-tier call for the experienced crew.
Tuesday the 28th sees the swell peak at 6 ft from the SW, with a 17 to 18-second period. The afternoon is clean with cross-offshore wind, and the energy is very strong (1707). This is expert territory – too big for beginners. The Wednesday morning of the 29th is also a cracker, with 5 ft SW and glassy conditions, energy strong (1273).
The first week of August starts to fade. There’s a gap from July 31st through August 1st where conditions get poor with onshore winds. But by Sunday, August 2nd, we’re back to glassy 3 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, energy moderate (495). A nice, clean end to the run.
One thing to remember: Playa Samara can get crowded sometimes, so for the standouts, especially the Friday the 24th morning and Monday the 27th afternoon, get out early or late to avoid the pack.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | SW 12 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 371 | 361 | 365 | 355 | 293 | 250 | 173 | 128 | 111 | 93 | 81 | 96 | 563 | 271 | 898 | 658 | 563 | 1210 | 920 | 996 | 1185 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:20PM2.25m | 7:48AM2.42m | 8:11PM2.08m | 8:36AM2.28m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:18PM0.42m | 1:27AM0.43m | 2:09PM0.53m | 2:15AM0.59m | 3:03PM0.63m | 3:07AM0.73m | 4:02PM0.69m | 4:05AM0.82m | 5:03PM0.71m | 5:06AM0.85m | 6:02PM0.68m | 6:06AM0.83m | 6:56PM0.61m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | S 7 | SW 8 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 215 | 361 | 365 | 355 | 293 | 250 | 119 | 126 | 111 | 67 | 81 | 96 | 107 | 93 | 898 | 658 | 563 | 1210 | 920 | 996 | 1185 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 7 | SW 8 | S 7 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 11 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 371 | 187 | 184 | 132 | 137 | 174 | 173 | 128 | 92 | 68 | 69 | 44 | 563 | 271 | 79 | 42 | 58 | 188 | 73 | 198 | 125 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 7 | SW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 7 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 |
| kJ | 45 | 45 | 47 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 39 | 93 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 52 | 27 | 49 | 45 | 32 | 30 | 48 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 9 | 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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