Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,663 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. 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+) | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here with the long-range look at what’s coming for Playa Samara. The overall pattern is a solid run of Southern Hemisphere groundswell lining up, with a mix of morning glass and light offshore winds giving us several standout windows. This is a beach and reef setup with favourable exposure for that SW swell direction. The water is sitting around 86°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year — nice for a longer session.
The next few days kick off nicely. Friday morning 24 July brings a clean 2ft SW swell (728) with a light NNE breeze straight off the land. That’s a decent combo for a beginner-friendly wave that’s tidy and welcoming. The water temp is 86°F, so a touch warmer than usual.
Saturday 25 July morning looks even better — the swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW (725), and the wind is NNE at just 3 mph, keeping the surface glassy. It’s a clean, fun little wave for getting about.
Now here’s the real standout of the outlook: Sunday 26 July morning. Pure glass conditions — ENE light air, with the swell building to 4ft from the SW with a period of 19 seconds (1078). That’s a gorgeous long-period groundswell with good energy. It’ll be clean, lined up, and ideal for experienced surfers wanting to sink into some proper waves. The reef and sand combo should handle that longer period well. Expect it to be a cracking session.
Monday 27 July morning keeps the quality high: another 4ft SW swell (1414) with a NNE cross-off breeze, keeping the face clean. The energy here is strong — well worth an early paddle.
Wednesday 29 July morning is another glassy winner — 5ft SW swell at 16 seconds (1252). That’s pushing into the bigger stuff, so this one’s for the crew with experience. The wind is dead calm, and the surface will be like polished glass.
From Thursday 30 July onward, the swell slowly backs off. The mornings remain clean or glassy, with 4ft dropping to 2ft by Sunday 2 August. Expect between Thursday and Sunday 2 August, the quality holds well if you’re chasing small fun waves.
From Monday 3 August through to Saturday 8 August, the trend continues small, with waist-high 2ft to 3ft SW swells, but the glassy or cross-off mornings still keep things rideable for the patient surfer. The energy drops (220 to 240), so it’s more of a cruisy, low-stakes paddle.
Overall, Sunday 26 July morning stands head and shoulders above the rest — that swell direction, period, glassy wind, and energy all line up. Wednesday 29 July morning is the other clear standout for the stronger surfers.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 563 | 271 | 898 | 658 | 563 | 1210 | 920 | 996 | 1185 | 800 | 715 | 1465 | 1213 | 1663 | 1225 | 1194 | 964 | 767 | 590 | 514 | 492 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:26AM2.09m | 11:10PM1.81m | 11:26AM2.07m | 00:12AM1.84m | 12:23PM2.11m | 1:07AM1.91m | 1:14PM2.18m | 1:55AM2.01m | 2:00PM2.26m | 2:37AM2.13m | 2:42PM2.33m | 3:16AM2.24m | 3:21PM2.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:03PM0.71m | 5:06AM0.85m | 6:02PM0.68m | 6:06AM0.83m | 6:56PM0.61m | 7:01AM0.77m | 7:43PM0.52m | 7:49AM0.69m | 8:24PM0.43m | 8:33AM0.61m | 9:03PM0.36m | 9:14AM0.54m | 9:38PM0.31m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 110 | 74 | 898 | 658 | 563 | 1210 | 920 | 996 | 1185 | 546 | 525 | 1465 | 1213 | 1663 | 1225 | 1194 | 964 | 767 | 590 | 514 | 492 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | S 7 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 563 | 47 | 65 | 39 | 142 | 114 | 100 | 98 | 71 | 800 | 715 | 40 | 253 | 39 | 61 | 58 | 55 | 49 | 12 | 18 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 24 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | W 8 | W 11 |
| kJ | 55 | 271 | 57 | 28 | 44 | 103 | 58 | 41 | 29 | 68 | 67 | 28 | 89 | 25 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 16 | 16 | 142 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 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.
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