Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
30.1°C
1.9° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with S 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 (Aug 26) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 26th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 29th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. We got a bit of a slow start, but once this SW groundswell kicks in proper, Playa Samara (Playa-Samara) is gonna fire up nicely. The first few days are small, nothing to write home about, but stick with me.

Wednesday the 26th is pretty ordinary. Mornin’ has some chest-high waves, around 2ft, with a light cross-offshore NE breeze that keeps it clean, but the energy’s weak (168). The swell’s comin’ from the SW with a very long period of 15 seconds, so it’ll be lining up nicely for the reef sections, but it’s small and inconsistent. Afternoon gets messy with a cross-on SSW wind and risk of storms – paddling out ain’t worth it.

Thursday the 27th is a step up. Mornin’ has similar size, 1ft, but it’s offshore from the NNE at 3 mph, dead clean. The period jumps to 18 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with real punch for its size, and the energy’s moderate (246). It’s surfable but tiny. Afternoon turns choppy with onshore wind.

Friday the 28th is where we start gettin’ excited. Mornin’ is clean with a cross-offshore NNE breeze and 3ft of SW swell. The period is a massive 19 seconds, and the energy’s jumpin’ to 742 – moderate to strong. The waves will be clean, lined up, and with that period, the reef and rivermouth sections should produce some tasty walls. Afternoon’s a write-off with onshore S wind.

Saturday the 29th is your standout for the first week. Saturday mornin’ is straight up glassy – ENE wind at 3 mph, dead calm, and waves pushin’ 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period. The energy’s strong at 1100. This is chest-to-head-high, clean, with excellent shape. It’s got some push, so it’s better suited for experienced surfers, but the conditions are absolutely pristine. Water temp is about average for this time of year. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so get in early.

Sunday the 30th mornin’ is another glassy session – E wind, 3 mph, and 5ft of SW swell. Energy’s strong (964). Great waves, solid size, and that glassy surface is a dream. Afternoon turns stormy again.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st drop off a bit. Monday mornin’ is clean with 4ft SW swell (13 sec), but energy’s down to 456. Tuesday mornin’ has a short-period windswell (7 seconds) with cross-on ESE wind – messy, choppy, not worth it.

Then we hit a sweet run from Wednesday the 2nd through to the end of the outlook. Wednesday the 2nd mornin’ is clean, 3ft, cross-offshore NW wind. Thursday the 3rd is glassy with 2ft. But mark Friday the 4th on your calendar – that’s another big standout. Friday mornin’ is dead glassy, 5ft of SW swell with a 17-second period, and the energy’s hitin’ 1405 – strong. That’s solid overhead, clean, and powerful. Excellent for experienced surfers only.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th stay solid, with 5ft and 4ft respectively. The wind is a bit cross-on, but the swell quality is there. Monday the 7th has an afternoon glass-off – 3ft, 14 seconds, and dead calm – that’ll clean up nicely. Tuesday the 8th mornin’ is glassy with 3ft of very long-period (19 seconds) SW groundswell – expect clean, fast lines on the reef. Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th morning sessions are both glassy, with 5ft and 18- to 16-second periods, energy over 1200 – excellent conditions for experienced surfers.

So the top picks are Saturday the 29th and Friday the 4th. Both mornings are glassy, with solid SW swell in the 5–5ft range, long period, and plenty of energy. They’ll be clean, powerful, and fantastic for anyone who can handle a bit of size. Always check the tides on this spot.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
2
1
2
3
1
4
4
3
4
3
2
3
1
2
1
0
1
0
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
15
0.5
SW
15
0.9
S
7
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
18
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
19
0.7
SW
19
1.4
SW
18
1.4
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
1.5
SW
15
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
1.4
SW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
110
107
75
112
112
245
450
358
1215
1017
1314
1001
911
821
549
392
386
331
223
220
274
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
10
S
10
NNE
10
NNE
5
SSW
10
N
5
NE
5
SSE
10
NNE
5
ENE
10
SSW
5
NNE
5
E
10
SW
5
NW
5
ESE
10
S
10
SE
15
SSE
10
S
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
on
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
1:35PM2.22m
2:08AM2.20m
2:17PM2.32m
2:45AM2.35m
2:55PM2.39m
3:20AM2.48m
3:32PM2.45m
3:54AM2.58m
4:09PM2.46m
4:29AM2.63m
4:47PM2.44m
5:06AM2.65m
5:26PM2.39m
Low Tide
7:55PM0.47m
8:10AM0.58m
8:31PM0.38m
8:49AM0.46m
9:06PM0.30m
9:27AM0.36m
9:40PM0.25m
10:04AM0.29m
10:14PM0.23m
10:42AM0.24m
10:50PM0.24m
11:21AM0.24m
11:28PM0.28m
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:33
5:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:53
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:51
5:51
 mm
3
1
2
2
1
2
3
2
6
4
4
9
6
1
9
Temp °C
31
30
27
30
29
28
30
30
27
29
30
26
28
28
27
29
29
27
27
27
26
Feels °C
35
34
32
34
33
34
33
34
30
33
33
30
33
32
31
33
33
32
32
31
30
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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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