Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
30.2° C
2.2° 

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 4 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 435 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) 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 0.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 4th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 8th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 8th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks.

Overall Pattern

We’ve got a stretch of small, inconsistent surf ahead, but there are a couple of windows where the stars align for some proper fun. The water is sitting at 87°, which is 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s notably warmer, so you’ll be comfortable in boardshorts or a thin spring suit. The first few days are all about tiny, weak swell, but things start to build in energy and quality as we head into the second week.

The First Week

Monday afternoon (3rd August) kicks off with a risk of thunderstorms and a weak 3ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, but it’s onshore and the energy is low (332). Honestly, not worth paddling out for. Tuesday morning (4th) is a different story: a 2ft SW swell with a 12-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE, and clean conditions. It’s small, but it’s workable for a beginner log or a longboard. The energy is moderate (253). Tuesday afternoon turns poor again, so get it while you can.

Wednesday morning (5th) delivers glassy conditions with no wind at all. The swell is a tiny 3ft from the S with a short 8-second period, and the energy is moderate (190). It’s surfable but very ordinary – more of a splash-around session than anything meaningful. The rest of Wednesday and Thursday look messy with onshore winds and low energy, so skip those.

Friday morning (7th) is the first real standout of the outlook. We’ve got a 2ft SSW swell, but check out the period: 18 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy jumps to 475 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE, keeping the surface clean. For a beach-and-reef setup like Samara, this long-period swell might be a little straight for the beach break, but if you can find a corner or a reef peak, it’ll be lined up and fun. It’s small, but the quality will be there.

The Best of the Bunch

Saturday morning (8th August) is the clear winner in the first week. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW, 16 seconds, and the energy is strong at 558. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE. This is clean, punchy, and has real shape. It’s still small enough for intermediates, but the long period will bring in some proper lines. This is the morning to be in the water.

Sunday morning (9th) is also very good: 3ft SW swell, 14 seconds, with a light offshore breeze from the NNE. Energy is 460 (moderate). It’s clean and lined up. Sunday afternoon turns glassy with no wind at all – a 3ft SW swell at 14 seconds (355 energy). That’s a beautiful, calm afternoon session.

Looking Further Out

The second week has a promising run, but it’s a bit further out so keep an eye on the forecasts. Monday morning (10th) is clean with a small 2ft SW swell (13 seconds, 342 energy). Tuesday morning (11th) is glassy with a 3ft SW swell (14 seconds, 378 energy). Nice, but still small.

Now, Saturday morning (15th August) is the real standout of the entire outlook. A 4ft SW swell at 16 seconds, with the energy roaring at 1084 (very strong). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s getting into the size where beginners should sit it out, but for anyone with a bit of experience, this is the session to target. The long period will make the waves powerful and well-shaped, though at a beach break it might be a bit straight on the sets – look for a reef or a point if you can find one.

Sunday morning (16th) is also strong: 4ft SW swell, 14 seconds, 710 energy (strong), with clean cross-offshore wind. Very good conditions.

The Gap

There’s no real gap of dead days – the surf is always there, just small and occasionally messy. The only real gap in quality comes between Wednesday afternoon (5th) and Friday morning (7th), so about a day and a half of poor-to-marginal conditions.

The Verdict

If you’re in the area, aim for Saturday morning (8th August) for the first week, and Saturday morning (15th August) for the second week. The 15th has the biggest swell, the strongest energy, and clean wind – that’s the one to circle on the calendar. Crowds are possible at Playa Samara, so expect some company on the better days.

This is Rusty, signing off. Get wet.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Sun afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
0
1
2
2
2
3
3
1
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)
0.5
SW
13
0.9
SSW
8
0.9
SSW
9
0.8
SSW
8
0.8
S
8
0.8
S
8
0.8
S
8
0.8
S
8
0.6
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
91
126
126
94
86
84
82
80
153
212
209
305
330
367
435
305
401
284
199
Wind (km/h)
0
ENE
5
NNE
10
S
5
E
5
NNE
10
WSW
5
NNE
10
ESE
5
SSW
0
NE
5
NE
10
S
10
N
5
NNE
10
SSW
10
NE
10
NNE
5
S
10
NNE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross
on
glassy
cross-off
on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:14AM2.50m
6:30PM2.23m
6:55AM2.47m
7:17PM2.14m
7:43AM2.42m
8:11PM2.06m
8:39AM2.37m
9:16PM1.99m
9:46AM2.34m
10:31PM2.00m
10:58AM2.35m
11:46PM2.08m
Low Tide
11:55PM0.36m
12:29PM0.44m
00:34AM0.41m
1:15PM0.47m
1:19AM0.48m
2:08PM0.51m
2:13AM0.56m
3:11PM0.53m
3:18AM0.61m
4:21PM0.52m
4:33AM0.62m
5:33PM0.45m
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<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>
6:04
6:02
6:02
6:02
6:01
6:01
 mm
5
1
3
3
4
6
8
14
2
2
6
5
Temp °C
28
30
29
27
30
28
27
28
28
25
29
28
27
29
29
25
29
30
26
Feels °C
33
33
32
32
33
31
32
32
32
30
32
31
32
32
33
28
32
33
29
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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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