
Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 435 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right on, let’s get into it. The first surf worth paddling out for hits Playa Samara on Monday morning, August 3rd. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag shaping up over the next couple weeks, but there are some real gems if you pick your windows.
Monday morning, August 3rd, starts with some clouds and a light NNE breeze blowing offshore at 3 mph. The swell is a clean 3 ft from the SW, with a solid 13-second period and moderate combined energy (323). That’s good, clean, fun-sized surf for a beginner-friendly beach and reef setup. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The afternoon turns tricky with a risk of thunderstorms and onshore wind, so make the most of the morning.
Tuesday morning, August 4th, is clear with a light NE cross-offshore breeze at 6 mph. Swell drops to 2 ft from the SW, 12-second period, moderate energy (253). Still clean, but smaller. Wednesday morning, August 5th, is the pick of the early week: clear skies, offshore wind from the N at 3 mph, and 3 ft of SSW swell with an 8-second period. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but the wind and size make it a fun little session. Energy is moderate (211).
There’s a bit of a lull Thursday and into the weekend, with onshore winds and stormy conditions making things messy. But hold onto your board – Friday morning, August 7th, is a standout. Glassy conditions with an ENE breeze at 3 mph, and a 2 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy jumps to 503 (strong). That’s clean, powerful, and lined up. The long period means it’ll be better on the reef sections, with long waits between sets but real quality when they come. This is one of the best windows.
Saturday morning, August 8th, is also excellent: 3 ft SW swell, 16-second period, strong energy (558), and a light NE cross-offshore breeze. Clean and punchy. Sunday morning, August 9th, keeps the run going with 3 ft SW swell, 14-second period, moderate energy (463), and offshore NNE wind at 6 mph. Afternoon goes glassy, too. That whole stretch from Friday through Sunday morning is the cream of the crop.
The following week (August 10th into the 12th) offers smaller, cleaner morning windows with glassy or cross-offshore winds, but the swell drops to 2-3 ft. Still good for a beginner-friendly session, but nothing to write home about.
Then, mark your calendar for Saturday morning, August 15th. That’s the biggest and best-looking swell of the forecast. Clear skies, cross-offshore NE wind at 3 mph, and 4 ft of SW swell with a 16-second period. The combined energy is a very strong 917. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell with clean conditions. It’s big enough to be a handful for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it’s going to be firing. The long period means it’ll be best on the reef, not the beach break.
Sunday morning, August 16th, is also a beauty: 4 ft SW swell, 15-second period, cross-offshore ENE wind, and strong energy (576). Another clean, solid morning.
The final few days (August 17th-18th) settle back to smaller, cleaner conditions, with 3-3 ft SW swell and glassy or cross-offshore winds.
Overall, the standout sessions are Friday morning, August 7th, and Saturday morning, August 15th. The first one for quality glass, the second for size and power. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
167 | 253 | 212 | 94 | 126 | 123 | 112 | 107 | 109 | 99 | 99 | 153 | 212 | 209 | 305 | 376 | 367 | 435 | 305 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | on | glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:37AM2.50m | 5:49PM2.31m | 6:14AM2.50m | 6:30PM2.23m | 6:55AM2.47m | 7:17PM2.14m | 7:43AM2.42m | 8:11PM2.06m | 8:39AM2.37m | 9:16PM1.99m | 9:46AM2.34m | 10:31PM2.00m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:19PM0.31m | 11:47AM0.42m | 11:55PM0.36m | 12:29PM0.44m | 00:34AM0.41m | 1:15PM0.47m | 1:19AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.51m | 2:13AM0.56m | 3:11PM0.53m | 3:18AM0.61m | 4:21PM0.52m | |||||||
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | 4 | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 4 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 7 | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SW 13 | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
51 | 253 | 212 | 94 | 118 | 123 | 112 | 107 | 109 | 99 | 99 | 76 | 131 | 205 | 86 | 376 | 367 | 435 | 305 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 |
167 | 51 | 52 | 82 | 126 | 77 | 73 | 50 | 49 | 74 | 70 | 153 | 212 | 89 | 151 | 144 | 139 | 52 | 77 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 11 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | S 9 | WSW 6 | S 9 |
98 | 19 | 68 | 84 | 9 | 38 | 36 | 54 | 34 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 159 | 209 | 305 | 56 | 52 | 3 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 68 | 9 | 9 | 103 | 9 | 16 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 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.











