Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with offshore 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★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| 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
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the table for Playa Samara over the next couple of weeks.
Alright, Playa Samara, we've got a bit of a slow cooker here. The first few days are pretty flat and messy, so don't rush out the door. The water is sitting at 87° right now, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – definitely feels like a bath.
The real story starts to pick up on the morning of Friday, August 7th. We get a clean little pulse from the SSW with a long 18-second period, and the wind is offshore from the NNE. That's a magic combo for this place. The swell is a touch under 3 ft, but with that period, it'll have proper shape. Wave energy is building, hitting 506 (moderate energy). It's not a standout because it's small, but it's the first real clean window.
The standout period is definitely the morning of Saturday, August 15th. We're looking at a solid 5 ft of SW groundswell, with a 16-second period. The wind is light and cross-off from the ENE, keeping the faces clean. The combined energy is pumping at 1257 (strong). This is the best on offer, with excellent conditions for experienced surfers. It's a bit much for beginners though. The Thursday morning before that, the 14th, also looks good with 4 ft and a long 18-second period from the SW, with clean cross-off winds. The energy is 977 (strong), and it's set up perfectly. The morning of Monday, August 17th is also worth a look, with 4 ft of SW swell and clean cross-off conditions.
There are a lot of afternoons that get ruined by onshore winds, so it's a morning game for sure. The afternoon of the 15th gets messy, so make sure you get it early. The 18th and 20th also have clean mornings in the 3 ft to 4 ft range if you need a fix after the main event.
Overall, the best bet is the Saturday morning of the 15th for the biggest, cleanest swell. The 14th and 17th mornings are also solid options. Don't expect much for the first week.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 49mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 8 | SSW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 65 | 87 | 70 | 153 | 212 | 209 | 305 | 376 | 367 | 435 | 305 | 401 | 284 | 241 | 172 | 288 | 309 | 224 | 375 | 212 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 7:17PM2.14m | 7:43AM2.42m | 8:11PM2.06m | 8:39AM2.37m | 9:16PM1.99m | 9:46AM2.34m | 10:31PM2.00m | 10:58AM2.35m | 11:46PM2.08m | 12:09PM2.42m | 00:54AM2.24m | 1:13PM2.52m | 1:53AM2.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:19AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.51m | 2:13AM0.56m | 3:11PM0.53m | 3:18AM0.61m | 4:21PM0.52m | 4:33AM0.62m | 5:33PM0.45m | 5:48AM0.56m | 6:39PM0.33m | 6:56AM0.45m | 7:37PM0.20m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 6 | 25 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 32 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SW 13 | S 9 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 65 | 87 | 64 | 107 | 125 | 205 | 79 | 376 | 367 | 435 | 305 | 401 | 284 | 241 | 172 | 288 | 309 | 224 | 272 | 212 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 9 | SW 11 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 9 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 49 | 75 | 70 | 153 | 212 | 92 | 151 | 144 | 139 | 55 | 77 | 23 | 35 | 47 | 125 | 41 | 186 | 38 | 375 | 152 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SW 17 | S 9 | S 9 | S 24 | S 9 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SW 16 | S 10 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 34 | 19 | 43 | 54 | 159 | 209 | 305 | 56 | 55 | 11 | 39 | 2 | 31 | 127 | 29 | 99 | 40 | 159 | 37 | 39 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | W 6 | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 9 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 9 | 51 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 16 | 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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