Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 19s period, SW swell with 441 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Samara in the next 16 days are 0.8m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks.
The first swell window opens up on the afternoon of Thursday, August 6th, with a tiny 2ft SW swell. The water is a balmy 87°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home. The wind is glassy, and with the combined energy reading at 291 (moderate), it’s a better bet for a longboard or a beginner’s session than anything else.
We’ve got a solid run of mornings from Friday, August 7th, through Sunday, August 9th. Friday morning sees a clean 2ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period, and a light cross-offshore wind. The energy jumps to 506 (moderate), meaning those slow, building lines. Saturday morning looks even cleaner with a 3ft SW swell, a 16-second period, and a slight NNE breeze. Sunday morning is similar with a 3ft SW swell. These are all small, but the consistency is there and the conditions are clean.
The standout of the whole outlook is the morning of Saturday, August 15th. A solid 5ft SW swell, with a 16-second period, light NE cross-offshore wind, and the combined energy hits 1305 (very strong). This is one for the experienced crew only – that’s a proper groundswell, and it’s going to be lining up. Get on it early before the afternoon sea breeze and risk of storms spoil the party.
Looking further into the second week, the morning of Monday, August 17th, offers a glassy 4ft SW swell, and Wednesday afternoon, August 19th, has a glassy 3ft SW swell with a 15-second period. Both are solid options for a quieter session.
Overall, there’s nothing huge, but the quality of the mornings is consistently good. The Saturday, August 15th morning is the real winner. Get out there and enjoy the warm water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 212 | 209 | 305 | 376 | 367 | 435 | 305 | 401 | 284 | 199 | 172 | 288 | 186 | 224 | 375 | 212 | 211 | 163 | 181 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:39AM2.37m | 9:16PM1.99m | 9:46AM2.34m | 10:31PM2.00m | 10:58AM2.35m | 11:46PM2.08m | 12:09PM2.42m | 00:54AM2.24m | 1:13PM2.52m | 1:53AM2.42m | 2:09PM2.61m | 2:45AM2.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:13AM0.56m | 3:11PM0.53m | 3:18AM0.61m | 4:21PM0.52m | 4:33AM0.62m | 5:33PM0.45m | 5:48AM0.56m | 6:39PM0.33m | 6:56AM0.45m | 7:37PM0.20m | 7:57AM0.32m | 8:29PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 212 | 92 | 106 | 376 | 367 | 435 | 305 | 401 | 284 | 199 | 172 | 288 | 174 | 224 | 224 | 212 | 211 | 134 | 181 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 16 | S 9 |
| kJ | 57 | 205 | 151 | 144 | 139 | 55 | 39 | 35 | 48 | 47 | 125 | 42 | 114 | 38 | 375 | 60 | 136 | 163 | 56 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | S 9 | WSW 6 | SW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | S 10 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 9 | S 15 |
| kJ | 159 | 209 | 305 | 56 | 55 | 3 | 77 | 30 | 31 | 91 | 29 | 99 | 186 | 159 | 37 | 150 | 58 | 57 | 109 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 52 |
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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