Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
30.1° C
1.8° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with 427 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with SSW 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 16) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 12th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Tue 14th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 16th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

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


Alright, let’s size up the next couple of weeks. The first real action kicks off on Sunday morning, July 12th, and it’s a beauty. The water is a warm 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice start.

The standout session is hands down Sunday morning, July 12th, at Playa Samara. It’s a beach and reef setup, exposed to the swell, and we’ve got a clean 3ft from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds. That’s a nice long groundswell, giving the waves some proper shape and energy. The combined energy is solid at 506 (moderate wave energy), and the wind is glassy from the NW at just 3 mph. It’s going to be glassy, clean, and really fun for a beginner-friendly spot. Crowds are possible, so get in early.

Monday morning, July 13th, keeps the good times rolling with a 2ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, and offshore wind from the NNE at 3 mph. Clean conditions again. The afternoons from Sunday through to Tuesday afternoon see a bit of risk of thunderstorms and some cross-on or onshore winds, but the mornings are the go.

Tuesday morning, July 14th, is another glassy morning with 3ft from the SSW, period 14 seconds, and zero wind. It’s a bit of a repeat of the good stuff, with combined energy of 464 (moderate wave energy). The afternoon is also glassy, with 3ft and a combined energy of 511, so it’s a solid day.

The next real highlight comes on Sunday, July 19th. The morning offers a 3ft from the S, period 13 seconds, with cross-off wind from the NNE at 6 mph. The combined energy jumps to 619 (moderate wave energy), and it’s clean. The afternoon is glassy, with 3ft from the S, period 12 seconds, and 557 energy. This is a top pick for the second week.

Monday, July 20th, is another cracker morning: 3ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, cross-off wind from the NNE at 6 mph, and combined energy of 638. The afternoon is glassy. That long period of 16 seconds means great shape, bigger gaps between sets, and better for the reef and point potential here.

There’s a bit of a drop-off in quality from Wednesday, July 22nd, into the following week. The swell gets smaller and the wind turns more onshore. Thursday, July 23rd, has a 3ft from the S, but with a short period of 8 seconds, and the wind is cross-on in the afternoon. Not ideal.

Friday, July 24th, is a write-off, with 16 mph onshore wind and poor conditions. The morning is a mess.

The final week sees a resurgence. Saturday, July 25th, morning has a 2ft from the SW with a very long period of 21 seconds, clean with offshore wind. Combined energy is 490 (moderate). The waves might be small but that period is special. The real long-range standout is Sunday, July 26th, morning: 2ft from the SW, period 19 seconds, cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 616. And Monday, July 27th, morning is the best of the bunch: 3ft from the SW, period 18 seconds, cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 664. That’s a proper long-range promise, but it’s still a bit far out to bank on.

So, if you’re keen, the best advice is to hit Sunday morning, July 12th, and keep an eye on Sunday, July 19th, and the final Monday, July 27th. The mornings are your friend here.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
14
0.6
S
16
0.6
S
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.8
SSW
12
1
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
0.7
S
14
0.8
SSW
12
1
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
437
233
172
191
188
159
280
258
197
178
198
208
196
331
356
356
307
336
203
164
367
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
WNW
10
NE
5
NNE
5
SSW
5
NE
0
NNW
5
SW
15
NNE
5
NE
5
SSW
10
N
5
NE
5
SSW
10
N
10
NE
5
SSW
10
NNE
10
NNE
5
S
5
NE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
on
off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
on
glassy
High Tide
12:20PM2.53m
1:04AM2.24m
1:22PM2.62m
2:04AM2.39m
2:20PM2.70m
2:59AM2.54m
3:14PM2.74m
3:51AM2.66m
4:05PM2.74m
4:41AM2.72m
4:55PM2.67m
5:28AM2.72m
5:43PM2.56m
Low Tide
6:52PM0.26m
7:03AM0.40m
7:50PM0.13m
8:05AM0.29m
8:44PM0.02m
9:02AM0.21m
9:35PM-0.05m
9:56AM0.17m
10:23PM-0.05m
10:48AM0.17m
11:10PM-0.00m
11:39AM0.22m
11:56PM0.11m
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:26
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
5:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:07
 mm
2
2
2
8
2
3
3
4
1
4
1
9
3
Temp °C
30
30
27
29
29
27
28
29
26
29
28
27
29
29
27
30
29
27
29
28
27
Feels °C
35
34
31
34
33
32
33
33
28
33
31
31
32
33
32
34
34
31
33
32
32
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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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