
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 1,339 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 4th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let's look at Playa Samara.
The surf's not massive, but there's a solid, long-period groundswell in the water that carries more energy than the size would suggest. The water is a real standout, pushing 87°F – that's about 4°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so spring suits are the go.
We start on Saturday, July 4th. Swell is around 3ft from the SSW with a very long 16-second period. Wave energy is moderate. Morning winds are offshore from the north, keeping things clean. A solid start to the weekend.
Sunday the 5th is similar in size, but the wind goes cross and then cross-onshore, putting some ripples on the face. Not the best.
Monday the 6th is the pick of the early week. The morning session is glassy with an ENE breeze. Clean 3ft waves with that 16-second period. The afternoon sees a slight increase to 3ft, but the wind goes onshore.
Tuesday the 7th is the absolute standout of the whole forecast. Morning brings 4ft of SSW swell with an 18-second period – that's proper groundswell energy. Wave energy is strong (1096). It's glassy, it's clean, it's got power. This is for experienced surfers. At that long period, look for a point or reef to get the best shape.
Wednesday the 8th keeps the fun going with a clean 4ft morning. Afternoons get a bit onshore and messy through the rest of that week.
Into the second week, the size drops off a cliff. From the 11th through the 19th, we're mostly seeing 2ft to 3ft waves. The long period hangs around, but the energy drops from moderate to weak. The mornings are where it's at, especially with glassy conditions on the 12th, 14th, and 15th. Nothing special, just small and clean for a longboard or a fish.
The run ends nicely on Saturday the 19th: a glassy 2ft in the morning and a completely calm, glassy afternoon. A nice way to close things out.
Bottom line: circle Tuesday the 7th. That morning glass with 4ft of long-period groundswell in warm water is your best bet. Crowds are always a possibility at Samara, but that session is worth the company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 21 | SW 16 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
441 | 387 | 371 | 269 | 274 | 467 | 362 | 746 | 730 | 835 | 1124 | 963 | 864 | 683 | 649 | 493 | 425 | 387 | 279 | 283 | 403 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:35PM2.28m | 6:08AM2.32m | 6:14PM2.21m | 6:46AM2.34m | 6:56PM2.14m | 7:27AM2.35m | 7:44PM2.08m | 8:14AM2.36m | 8:39PM2.02m | 9:08AM2.37m | 9:42PM2.00m | 10:10AM2.40m | 10:50PM2.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:33AM0.59m | 11:49PM0.40m | 12:13PM0.60m | 00:25AM0.45m | 12:57PM0.61m | 1:04AM0.50m | 1:44PM0.61m | 1:48AM0.55m | 2:38PM0.59m | 2:41AM0.58m | 3:39PM0.55m | 3:42AM0.60m | 4:44PM0.49m | ||||||||
5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | — | 4 | 6 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
441 | 387 | 371 | 269 | 184 | 447 | 362 | 746 | 730 | 835 | 1124 | 963 | 864 | 683 | 649 | 493 | 425 | 387 | 279 | 283 | 403 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 7 |
181 | 130 | 133 | 122 | 92 | 467 | 277 | 414 | 264 | 208 | 136 | 100 | 114 | 141 | 106 | 87 | 87 | 90 | 89 | 78 | 56 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 | S 8 | W 16 | NW 15 | W 15 | — | SSW 15 | S 20 | SSW 20 | S 18 | SSW 18 |
54 | 93 | 211 | 252 | 274 | 90 | 58 | 56 | 55 | 53 | 35 | 31 | 5 | 9 | 4 | — | 47 | 31 | 75 | 163 | 106 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 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.










