Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 477 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 24) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks.
The overall pattern is a slow, mellow start with small but clean waves, and then a serious ramp-up right at the end of the window that looks like the real deal. The water temp is sitting at a very warm 87°F, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year – you’ll be comfortable in just boardshorts.
We get going on Monday the 17th with a little afternoon pulse, but it’s marginal with a southerly breeze and the combined energy is moderate (563). Best to wait until Tuesday morning the 18th. That’s where it gets interesting: a 4ft SW swell with a solid 14 second period, light NE wind going glassy. The combined energy is moderate (530) and the forecast is very good. That’s a beautiful start – clean, lined-up little waves for a fun session.
Wednesday morning the 19th keeps the good times rolling with 3ft SW swell, 15 second period, glassy off the NE wind. Combined energy is moderate (472). This is easy-going, friendly surf. Thursday morning the 20th is smaller at 2ft but still glassy; you won't be winning any awards but it's a nice paddle.
Friday the 21st is a standout for the early part of the week. Glassy conditions with no wind in the morning, a 4ft SSW swell at 11 seconds, combined energy moderate (447). The waves will be clean and fun. Afternoon gets cross-onshore and messy, so make the most of the morning.
Saturday the 22nd morning is worth it again – 4ft south swell, 11 second period, glassy with a light NNE breeze. Expect good surf.
From Sunday the 23rd through the middle of the next week, the size drops right off to 2ft and even 1ft. The mornings are clean with glassy or cross-off winds, but this is a lull. The combined energy drops into the low to mid-100s and 200s – weak. There are still surfable waves on the cleaner mornings, but nothing to get excited about.
Now, I’m getting excited about the 28th and 29th. Friday morning the 28th, we’ve got a 2ft SW swell but with a very long 20 second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy jumps up to a strong (738). Offshore wind from the north, clean. This will be a little bigger than the number suggests, and very powerful for its size. A quality point break or reef setup would be ideal here, but even at the beach, you’ll get good, clean waves.
But the big dog is Saturday morning the 29th of August. This is the best on offer. A 5ft SW swell, 17 second period, combined energy is very strong at 1705. Light cross-off breeze from the ENE, conditions described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is serious wave energy – over 5ft and clean, so it’s getting too big for beginners, but for anyone with experience, this is the session to circle. Sunday the 30th morning is nearly as good: 5ft SW swell, 15 seconds, combined energy 1231, clean with light cross-off winds.
The last few days of August and into September 1st, the swell drops back to 4ft and then 4ft, still decent but the windows get smaller with afternoon storms and onshore wind. The morning of September 1st is glassy with a 4ft SW swell, 13 second period, and combined energy moderate (536) – a very good, clean session to close out the window.
If you’re after one clear standout, it’s the morning of the 29th. That Saturday delivers serious size, power, and glassy conditions. Get on it.
Keep in mind Playa Samara can get crowds sometimes, but with the clean mornings early and the big swell later, you’ll find your bank.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
428 | 410 | 422 | 331 | 477 | 355 | 305 | 238 | 142 | 162 | 343 | 356 | 351 | 338 | 269 | 194 | 153 | 142 | 263 | 260 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:00PM2.40m | 6:22AM2.54m | 6:44PM2.24m | 7:04AM2.38m | 7:29PM2.07m | 7:49AM2.22m | 8:19PM1.91m | 8:40AM2.09m | 9:19PM1.80m | 9:41AM1.99m | 10:30PM1.75m | 10:49AM1.97m | 11:41PM1.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:06AM0.30m | 12:40PM0.37m | 00:48AM0.46m | 1:25PM0.51m | 1:31AM0.62m | 2:15PM0.64m | 2:20AM0.76m | 3:13PM0.74m | 3:19AM0.87m | 4:20PM0.79m | 4:28AM0.92m | 5:28PM0.77m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
5:59 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
428 | 410 | 422 | 120 | 477 | 355 | 113 | 123 | 118 | 162 | 343 | 356 | 351 | 338 | 269 | 194 | 153 | 136 | 108 | 109 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
115 | 88 | 100 | 331 | 95 | 108 | 305 | 238 | 142 | 136 | 84 | 55 | 55 | 166 | 95 | 133 | 118 | 142 | 263 | 260 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | NW 7 | SW 21 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
20 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 13 | 28 | 36 | 36 | 22 | 18 | 68 | 60 | 97 | 134 | 84 | 79 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | WNW 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 16 | 9 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 28 | 9 | 9 | 112 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 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.











