Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,123 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 6PM (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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, here’s how it looks. The water’s a touch warmer than usual for the season, sitting at about 86°F.
Wednesday morning the 12th at Playa Samara is small but clean – 2ft of southwest groundswell with a long 16-second period, and a light NNE breeze keeping it tidy. Combined energy is moderate at 403. It’s not huge, but it’s a nice little beginner-friendly wave. Afternoon gets a bit messy.
Thursday the 13th is more of the same – 2ft, 15-second SW swell, glassy in the morning. Clean, but small.
Friday the 14th morning is the first real standout. Swell hits 4ft from the southwest, but the period stretches to 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. Combined energy is 919. With a near-calm NNE breeze, it’ll be clean and well-shaped. Best bet of the early days. Afternoon turns sloppy.
Saturday the 15th morning is the best of the whole outlook for experienced surfers. Swell peaks at 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, combined energy at 1246 – that’s strong. With a light cross-off NE breeze, it’ll be clean, punchy, and head-high plus. Worth the early alarm.
Sunday the 16th morning offers 4ft SW swell, 15 seconds, and clean conditions. Sunday afternoon turns glassy with 4ft swell – real pretty.
Monday and Tuesday mornings the 17th and 18th keep it going with 4ft SW swell and clean, glassy conditions. Consistent fun.
After that, Wednesday the 19th through Saturday the 22nd morning sees smaller swell, 2ft to 3ft, with several glassy mornings making them surfable but nothing special. Afternoons often have storms or onshore wind.
Sunday the 23rd offers a tiny but glassy morning with 2ft SSW swell, then a surprise in the afternoon – 2ft but with 18-second period and glassy wind. Keep an eye on it.
The last standout window is Thursday the 27th morning – 3ft SW swell, 17-second period, clean with a cross-off NE breeze, combined energy at 575. A nice finisher.
Overall, the prime window is Friday morning the 14th through Tuesday morning the 18th, with Saturday the 15th morning being the absolute best for experienced surfers. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 211 | 163 | 181 | 176 | 251 | 369 | 804 | 777 | 1050 | 1109 | 991 | 942 | 677 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 434 | 416 | 428 | 350 | 477 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:09PM2.61m | 2:45AM2.59m | 3:01PM2.68m | 3:33AM2.72m | 3:49PM2.69m | 4:17AM2.77m | 4:34PM2.64m | 5:00AM2.76m | 5:18PM2.54m | 5:41AM2.67m | 6:00PM2.40m | 6:22AM2.54m | 6:44PM2.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:29PM0.08m | 8:51AM0.21m | 9:16PM0.01m | 9:41AM0.14m | 10:01PM0.00m | 10:28AM0.13m | 10:44PM0.05m | 11:13AM0.17m | 11:25PM0.16m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:06AM0.30m | 12:40PM0.37m | 00:48AM0.46m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | |  | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 9 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 35 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 211 | 78 | 84 | 74 | 251 | 61 | 804 | 777 | 1050 | 1109 | 991 | 942 | 677 | 606 | 598 | 428 | 434 | 416 | 428 | 350 | 477 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 8 | SW 19 | S 7 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 56 | 134 | 181 | 176 | 72 | 369 | 51 | 209 | 178 | 137 | 177 | 132 | 195 | 191 | 70 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 94 | 87 | 85 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 14 | — | — | — | SW 8 | S 11 | — | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 8 | SW 7 |
| kJ | 136 | 163 | 109 | 94 | 27 | 248 | 64 | 251 | — | — | — | 3 | 59 | — | 57 | 35 | 32 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 27 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 59 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 51 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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