
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 347 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 1.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
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 on the menu for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a mellow, consistent run of small to moderate SW swell. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Don’t expect any massive, pull-into-your-wetsuit days, but there’s a real nice rhythm to the week ahead.
We kick off on Friday, July 31st, with a clean 3 ft SW swell and a 14-second period pushing through. That’s a proper groundswell, and with the NE cross-off wind at just 3 mph, it’s going to be glassy and lined up. The combined energy is a solid moderate (385). This is a classic beach-and-reef setup that’ll be handling that long-period swell nicely, though keep in mind a 14-second period can make the sets a little more spaced out. It’s a good one to get out for.
Saturday morning, August 1st, drops a touch to 3 ft from the SW, still with a nice 13-second period and clean conditions. The energy dips a little (281), but it’s still a fun, surfable morning before the afternoon winds and storm risk mess things up.
Sunday the 2nd is smaller again at 2 ft, but the period stretches to 15 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, so the shape will be there on the reef sections, even if the size is small. Morning glass-off with a NNE cross-off makes it worth a paddle.
Now, Monday, August 3rd, is a standout. The morning shows 3 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is glass. Absolutely glass. That’s the kind of morning you drag yourself out of bed for. The energy is moderate (336), and the conditions are going to be as smooth as a mirror. This is the best on offer in the first week – it’s clean, it’s consistent, and the break will be working.
The middle of the week (Tuesday 4th through Thursday 6th) gets a bit ordinary. Swell drops to 2 ft-2 ft, and while the mornings are often glassy, the energy is weak (129-226). The afternoon storms and onshore wind kill it. It’s a waiting game.
Then we hit a turning point. Friday, August 7th, the combined energy jumps to a strong 506. The swell is only 2 ft, but the period is a very long 18 seconds from the SSW. That’s a lot of push for a small wave. The morning cross-off wind will keep it clean. This is the start of a much more energetic window.
The real highlight of the whole outlook lands on Saturday, August 8th. The morning session brings 3 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the wind is offshore – NNE at 3 mph. The combined energy is a strong 632. This is the best day of the lot. It’s clean, has power, and the direction is right on the optimum for the break. The afternoon will be a write-off with the cross-on, but that morning window is pure gold.
The following week (August 9th to 15th) continues the trend. The 9th and 10th hold clean, moderate energy, but the real promise is in the second week’s mornings. August 13th, 14th, and 15th all show very good conditions with strong energy (617-740) and clean cross-off or offshore winds. The swell sits around 3 ft-3 ft from the SW with periods between 15-18 seconds. These are long-range forecasts, so take them with a pinch of salt, but the pattern looks solid.
Crowds at Playa Samara can be present sometimes, so with this consistent run of clean mornings, expect company out there, especially on the standout days.
Overall, it’s a slow, clean start that builds into a really promising second week. That Monday, August 3rd morning glass-off is your early grab, and Saturday, August 8th morning is the pick of the entire run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
492 | 357 | 342 | 241 | 238 | 193 | 147 | 136 | 171 | 167 | 253 | 212 | 96 | 100 | 94 | 96 | 69 | 66 | 74 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:52AM2.34m | 3:58PM2.40m | 4:27AM2.42m | 4:35PM2.40m | 5:02AM2.47m | 5:11PM2.36m | 5:37AM2.50m | 5:49PM2.31m | 6:14AM2.50m | 6:30PM2.23m | 6:55AM2.47m | 7:17PM2.14m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:38PM0.31m | 9:53AM0.49m | 10:12PM0.28m | 10:31AM0.45m | 10:45PM0.29m | 11:09AM0.43m | 11:19PM0.31m | 11:47AM0.42m | 11:55PM0.36m | 12:29PM0.44m | 00:34AM0.41m | 1:15PM0.47m | 1:19AM0.48m | ||||||
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | — | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
Temp °C | 28 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
492 | 357 | 342 | 241 | 238 | 193 | 147 | 110 | 33 | 68 | 253 | 71 | 96 | 83 | 94 | 96 | 69 | 66 | 66 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
12 | 16 | 28 | 17 | 17 | 91 | 124 | 136 | 171 | 167 | 64 | 212 | 82 | 100 | 77 | 73 | 50 | 50 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 |
12 | 12 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 15 | 14 | 23 | 85 | 98 | 19 | 68 | 84 | 15 | 38 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Costa Rica | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











