Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
29.8° 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 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,210 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 29th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Playa Samara. This spot’s a mix of beach and reef, so it’s got options. The water’s about normal for this time of year, no big surprises.

We’re starting with a solid push on Wednesday, July 29th. The morning is the one to chase – a solid 5ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period, so it’s long-period magic. The combined energy is pumping at 1250 (strong to very strong), so there’s plenty of grunt. The wind is glassy from the NNE at 3 mph, so it’s clean as a whistle. That said, this swell is a bit heavy for the beginners; it’s for the experienced crew. The long period means it’ll be a bit shifty, but for those who know the sandbanks, it’s a ripper.

By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the SW, and things get messy. The swell drops a touch to 5ft, but that cross-on breeze spoils the party. The energy is still high at 1026 but the quality takes a dive.

Thursday morning, July 30th, is a nice fallback. The swell drops to 4ft, still from the SW with a 14-second period, and the energy is at 553 (moderate). The NE wind is light and cross-off, keeping the faces clean. It’s a good, user-friendly size for most, but it’s not the standout of the week.

The real magic runs through the mornings. Friday, July 31st, you’ll find 3ft SW swell with glassy ENE wind at 3 mph. Clean, small, but fun. The energy is at 398 (moderate). Saturday and Sunday mornings follow a similar pattern – clean, small, and glassy, with the swell dropping to 3ft and then 2ft. The energy dips into the 200s and 300s, so it’s mellow but surfable.

Now, there’s a gap in the quality. The afternoons are consistently blown out by onshore SW winds, and a few days have zero surf potential. The run from Monday, August 3rd, through to Friday, August 7th, is a mixed bag. The mornings are clean, but the swell is small – 3ft to 1ft. The energy is weak, dropping to 150 on Thursday, August 6th. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

But hold on, because the second week starts to show a pulse. Friday, August 7th, the morning brings a 2ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period. The energy jumps to 510 (moderate), and the NNE wind is light and cross-off. It’s clean, but that long period on a beach break means it might be a bit walled-up. Still, for a reef setup like Playa Samara, it could be a sneaky good one.

The real standout of the whole run? Wednesday, August 12th, morning. The swell is 2ft from the SW, but that period is 18 seconds, and the energy is at 571. The NE wind is 3 mph and cross-off, so the waves will be clean and lined up. It’s small, but the quality is there. The following morning, Thursday, August 13th, is also worth a look – 4ft SW swell, 16 seconds, and 730 energy, with a light NE breeze. That’s a proper end-of-run reward.

So, if you’re picking a single session, roll out of bed on Saturday, August 8th, or Wednesday, August 12th, for the glassy mornings. The big boys should be on the water Wednesday, July 29th, for that first pulse. The crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so on those good mornings, you might have a few friends out, but it’s nothing crazy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
3
1
3
2
0
2
2
1
1
2
0
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)
1.6
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.3
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.8
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.8
SW
13
0.9
SSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1225
1194
964
767
529
514
492
357
342
241
238
193
147
136
171
167
253
212
104
Wind (km/h)
5
N
5
NNE
10
SW
10
NNE
5
NE
15
S
10
NNE
5
ENE
15
S
5
SSE
10
NE
10
SSW
10
E
0
ESE
10
SSW
5
NNE
5
SW
5
WSW
5
N
Wind State
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
glassy
on
glassy
cross-off
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
off
High Tide
2:37AM2.13m
2:42PM2.33m
3:16AM2.24m
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
Low Tide
8:33AM0.61m
9:03PM0.36m
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
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:05
6:05
6:05
6:04
6:04
6:04
 mm
1
8
6
8
3
4
3
1
3
Temp °C
28
30
30
27
30
30
28
30
30
28
30
29
27
29
28
26
28
28
27
Feels °C
33
33
33
31
32
32
32
33
33
33
33
32
31
33
32
30
33
32
32
  • Map Icons:
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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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