Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, S swell with 351 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. 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 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some real quality waiting for us if we’re patient.
The pattern shows a few smaller pulses of swell early on, with clean mornings but the afternoons getting messed up by onshore winds and the chance of a storm. It’s not total junk, but you’ll want to be an early bird. Then, after a bit of a lull right around the 27th, things crank up proper.
First up, Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st. Thursday morning delivers a clean 2 ft SW swell with a nice long 13-second period at Playa Samara. The wind is light cross-off from the ENE at 3 mph, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy is modest at 278, but for a small, lined-up wave, it’ll be fun for the beginners out there. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Friday morning bumps up to 4 ft from the S, still clean with that light NE airflow. The swell energy picks up to 436, so there’s a bit more push.
Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th see the swell drop back to 2 ft, but the periods are long again (13 to 18 seconds). The mornings stay clean with cross-off or glassy conditions. Monday the 24th afternoon actually goes glassy – dead calm wind from the S at 3 mph – with a 2 ft SW groundswell at 17 seconds. That’ll be silky smooth, just small.
There’s a gap on Thursday the 27th where the swell bottoms out to 1 ft and the wind is messy. Not worth paddling for. But then Friday the 28th morning is a standout. Playa Samara gets a clean 3 ft SW groundswell with a 19-second period and a light offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph. The energy jumps to 708, and with that period and offshore wind, those waves are going to have some real shape and power for a small day. It’ll be a proper little gem.
Now, the true standout of the whole window is Saturday the 29th morning. We’re looking at a solid 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and light cross-off winds from the NE at 6 mph. The combined swell energy is a strong 1473. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – the swell is over 5 ft, so beginners should sit this one out. It’s clean and powerful, with good lines.
The following day, Sunday the 30th morning, is also very strong with a 5 ft SW swell and clean conditions. The energy is 1010. Monday the 31st morning drops back to a glassy 4 ft SW, still very good.
Into the first week of September, the swell fades a bit but the quality holds. Wednesday the 3rd morning has a clean 3 ft SW swell at 16 seconds with a light offshore N wind. Another solid call for a clean, lined-up session.
Overall, there’s plenty to work with here. Get on it early, avoid the afternoon storm chances, and don’t sleep on that Saturday the 29th. It’s the best we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
238 | 142 | 141 | 286 | 345 | 351 | 279 | 218 | 156 | 154 | 142 | 263 | 260 | 255 | 243 | 322 | 211 | 161 | 191 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:49AM2.22m | 8:19PM1.91m | 8:40AM2.09m | 9:19PM1.80m | 9:41AM1.99m | 10:30PM1.75m | 10:49AM1.97m | 11:41PM1.79m | 11:54AM2.02m | 00:40AM1.89m | 12:49PM2.11m | 1:28AM2.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:31AM0.62m | 2:15PM0.64m | 2:20AM0.76m | 3:13PM0.74m | 3:19AM0.87m | 4:20PM0.79m | 4:28AM0.92m | 5:28PM0.77m | 5:37AM0.89m | 6:27PM0.69m | 6:37AM0.81m | 7:14PM0.58m | |||||||
— | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 10 | 5 | — | 8 | 2 | — | 4 | 5 | — | 6 | 9 |
Temp °C | 27 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 |
126 | 123 | 141 | 286 | 345 | 351 | 279 | 218 | 156 | 154 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 104 | 102 | 322 | 55 | 51 | 77 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
238 | 142 | 136 | 84 | 55 | 55 | 201 | 95 | 133 | 118 | 142 | 263 | 260 | 255 | 243 | 76 | 211 | 161 | 191 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 |
17 | 13 | 47 | 36 | 36 | 22 | 9 | 3 | 60 | 97 | 134 | 84 | 79 | 72 | 69 | 36 | 14 | 25 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 59 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 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.











