Playa Samara Surf Break

Lat Long: 9.88° N 85.53° W

Playa Samara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Playa Samara sea temperature is
30.4°C
2.4° 

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 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with 679 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s 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 (Sep 15) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (CST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 15th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 18s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 15th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 18s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 21st Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what the ocean has in store for us over the next couple of weeks at Playa Samara. This stretch is a beach and reef setup, exposed to SSW swells. The water is a very unusual 87°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year right now, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

The overall pattern is a slow burner. We start with small, lackluster waves and tricky onshore breezes, but there’s a real pickup of energy mid-period before the ocean turns on the power for a couple of days. That power surge at the end, however, comes with serious size and wind problems. Let’s break it down.

Monday 14th is a write-off. There’s a risk of thunderstorms and cross-on winds making a mess of the 2ft SW swell. The combined energy is moderate at 392, but it just looks ragged. Forget it.

Tuesday 15th morning is where we see the first real glimmer. It starts glassy with a NNE breeze at 3 mph and a building 2ft SW swell. The period is very long at 18 seconds, which means proper groundswell energy with those long waits. The combined energy jumps to a healthy 563. This is clean, but still small. By afternoon, the wind swings onshore and the quality drops.

Wednesday 16th morning is even better. We get a clean 3ft SW swell coming from the optimum direction, with a lovely 3 mph ENE cross-offshore breeze. The period is a solid 16 seconds and energy sits at 687. This is a great window for a beginner-friendly wave with some shape.

Thursday 17th morning holds that same 3ft SW swell with clean cross-off winds from the NE at 6 mph. The period drops a touch to 14 seconds, but energy is still strong at 620. Another solid, clean morning.

Friday 18th morning is smaller, around 3ft, but the wind is clean and cross-off again. It’s a fun, small-wave option.

Saturday 19th morning offers another glassy session with a 2ft, long-period SW swell (19 seconds). The energy is moderate at 417, but that smooth, glassy water makes up for it.

Sunday 20th is a decent one. Morning has cross-shore winds on a 3ft SW swell, but the afternoon is the standout. It turns glassy with a 3 mph SSW breeze, the swell holds at 3ft, the period is very long at 19 seconds, and the energy kicks up to 747. Clean, lined-up waves.

Monday 21st sees the swell push up to 4ft with a 6 mph cross-shore breeze in the morning. The energy is strong at 767, but conditions are a bit mixed. Afternoon gets choppier as the wind picks up.

Then we hit a bit of a lull from Tuesday 22nd through Thursday 24th. The swell stays between 3ft and 3ft, but the winds are nearly always cross-onshore or onshore, and the period drops. It’s mostly marginal.

Now, the big news. Friday 25th and Saturday 26th are for the brave only. A solid pulse of SW swell arrives, but it’s blown to bits on Friday 25th with onshore winds gusting 19 mph and a massive 12ft swell. The energy is very strong at 3345. This is a total mess for surfing.

Saturday 26th morning is even bigger, with a 13ft SW swell (energy at 3911), but the wind is cross-shore at 9 mph. At this size, Playa Samara is an expert-only zone, and honestly, it looks like it would be more suited for a kite session than a paddle surf, given the heavy rain and size. The afternoon drops a little to 12ft but stays messy.

By Sunday 27th morning, the swell has dropped to a manageable 4ft with a cross-shore breeze. The energy is still strong at 984. It’s a big step down in size, so conditions should be more manageable again.

The final days from Monday 28th onward drop back into small, marginal surf with short periods and onshore winds. Nothing to get excited about.

The Pick of the Window:
If you’re looking for the true standout, Tuesday 15th morning is the one. It’s glassy, clean, and the sets will have that lovely long-period push. It’s small, but it’s the most polished wave of the whole run. The Sunday 20th afternoon is a close second for the same reason – glassy conditions with a good, long-period groundswell.

After that, the Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th mornings offer the most consistent, clean, waist-high waves with perfect offshore wind.

For the second week, keep an eye on Sunday 27th morning – it’s a promising drop in size after the big stuff, but it’s a long way out, so take it as a heads-up, not a guarantee.

Stay safe, and enjoy the glassy windows when they come.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon 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 24mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
1
3
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
1
SW
16
1
SW
16
1
SW
15
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.8
SW
13
0.5
SW
20
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
0.9
SW
19
0.9
SW
19
0.8
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
246
379
249
499
427
502
471
418
407
401
276
205
186
236
227
199
328
621
614
437
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
5
NNE
5
NNE
10
S
10
E
5
ENE
10
SSW
5
NW
10
NE
10
S
5
NW
5
NE
10
SW
5
WNW
5
NNW
10
WSW
5
S
10
ESE
5
SSW
15
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
4:50PM2.49m
5:06AM2.62m
5:29PM2.37m
5:44AM2.49m
6:08PM2.22m
6:23AM2.33m
6:51PM2.06m
7:06AM2.18m
7:39PM1.92m
7:56AM2.04m
8:38PM1.80m
8:58AM1.94m
9:50PM1.76m
Low Tide
10:53PM0.24m
11:23AM0.22m
11:31PM0.36m
12:02PM0.35m
00:10AM0.50m
12:44PM0.49m
00:52AM0.65m
1:31PM0.63m
1:39AM0.79m
2:27PM0.75m
2:38AM0.91m
3:34PM0.82m
thunderstorm
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<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>
5:43
5:42
5:42
5:40
5:39
5:39
5:38
 mm
4
1
3
2
2
1
4
1
4
8
6
6
37
Temp °C
29
27
30
29
27
29
29
27
29
29
27
30
29
27
29
29
28
29
28
27
Feels °C
33
32
34
33
31
31
32
31
32
32
32
33
32
32
33
33
33
34
33
31
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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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