Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period, SSW swell with 431 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Playa Samara in the next 16 days are 1.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, talkin' the same outlook in feet and miles.
We've got a pretty solid run of surf on the cards for Playa Samara lookin' into the next couple of weeks. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin' at 86°, which is nice.
The action kicks off on Tuesday afternoon, July 14th. The swell is a playful 3 ft from the SSW, and the wind is glassy. You'll find that combined wave energy is solid at 511 (moderate energy). It's not huge, but it’s the most clean you'll see all week. This is the pick of the first few days – a true standout for a longboard or a fun fish.
The run continues through Wednesday and Thursday with smaller, clean waves in the mornings, around 2 ft to 2 ft with cross-offshore winds. Thursday afternoon sees a slight bump up to 3 ft under glassy conditions, but the wind goes a little cross-on Friday afternoon. Friday morning, July 17th, is the one to circle if you miss Tuesday: 3 ft from the SSW with clean offshore winds and a combined energy of 488 (moderate energy). It’s a very good, clean session.
Into the weekend, Saturday morning is clean but small at 2 ft. Sunday, July 19th, is a gem. The morning has 3 ft from the south with clean cross-offshore winds. The afternoon goes completely glassy with the same size. That's a classic Samara day.
The following week keeps the energy up. Monday, July 20th, has 3 ft swell from the SW with a very long period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 607 (moderate energy). Both morning and afternoon are glassy or clean. That long period will make for some nice, lined-up waves, especially on the reef sections.
Things get more interesting for the experienced crew on Tuesday, July 28th. The morning brings 5 ft of swell from the SW with a combined energy of 1372 (strong energy). The wind is a light cross-off, and the conditions are excellent. This is definitely too big for the beginners. Wednesday the 29th is similar, with 4 ft waves and the same clean conditions.
There’s a bit of a lull in the middle of the week, from Wednesday the 22nd to the 24th, where the waves get a bit weak and ordinary. Stick with the mornings through that period.
Overall, the best bet for a clean, fun wave is the very first session on Tuesday afternoon, July 14th, and the cleanest bigger swell for the experienced surfers is the morning of Tuesday, July 28th.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 258 | 197 | 178 | 198 | 208 | 157 | 331 | 167 | 356 | 372 | 336 | 203 | 198 | 367 | 394 | 304 | 314 | 314 | 361 | 313 | 301 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:59AM2.54m | 3:14PM2.74m | 3:51AM2.66m | 4:05PM2.74m | 4:41AM2.72m | 4:55PM2.67m | 5:28AM2.72m | 5:43PM2.56m | 6:15AM2.66m | 6:32PM2.41m | 7:01AM2.56m | 7:20PM2.25m | 7:48AM2.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:44PM0.02m | 9:02AM0.21m | 9:35PM-0.05m | 9:56AM0.17m | 10:23PM-0.05m | 10:48AM0.17m | 11:10PM-0.00m | 11:39AM0.22m | 11:56PM0.11m | 12:29PM0.31m | 00:41AM0.26m | 1:18PM0.42m | 1:27AM0.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | 6:07 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 29 |
Feels °C | 34 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 258 | 137 | 178 | 198 | 111 | 157 | 331 | 164 | 356 | 372 | 336 | 164 | 164 | 367 | 394 | 304 | 314 | 273 | 187 | 313 | 301 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 6 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 | S 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 142 | 144 | 160 | 157 | 208 | 90 | 40 | 167 | 75 | 75 | 22 | 203 | 198 | 12 | 219 | 194 | 18 | 314 | 361 | 54 | 50 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SW 16 | SW 20 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 20 | S 16 | S 6 | S 6 | SW 19 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SW 18 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 111 | 197 | 85 | 86 | 110 | 91 | 15 | 75 | 57 | 63 | 81 | 19 | 20 | 94 | 13 | 20 | 194 | 20 | 37 | 187 | 137 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 6 | — | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 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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