Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,438 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s 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 (Aug 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's going on at Playa Samara for the next couple of weeks.
We've got a long period SW groundswell rolling in, and the water is sitting at a warm 86°F, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The week kicks off with some decent size, but the wind is the real deal.
Saturday, August 29th, the morning is the early pick. We're looking at clean surf, 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The wave energy is strong, but this is serious height for beginners; it's better suited for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit choppy when the wind switches onshore.
Sunday the 30th keeps the clean morning theme going with a similar 5ft SW swell (14-second period) and light NE winds. A solid option for those who can handle the size.
The real standout window starts to build later in the week. Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th look prime. For Friday morning, we've got 5ft of SW swell, a long 17-second period, and glassy conditions, with the energy pumping. Saturday morning is even a touch bigger at about 6ft from the SW, 16-second period, and again, glassy with NE winds. That's expert territory for sure, but if you've got the skills and a bigger board for those long-period lulls, those mornings are the best on offer. Expect excellent, clean surf.
Sunday, September 6th is also very good in the morning with around 5ft of SW swell, glassy conditions and calm winds. A slightly more manageable size for a solid session.
After that, the swell settles down through the second week. Wednesday, September 9th through Friday, September 11th all offer clean, glassy mornings with the swell dropping to around 3ft to 4ft, perfect for any level of surfer. The longer-period energy (15-16 seconds) keeps the waves shaped up nicely. Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular risk but the mornings are worth the early alarm.
Sunday, September 13th finishes the run on a quiet, glassy note with a 3ft SW swell. A gentle finish.
Overall, the first Saturday and Friday mornings are the standouts for experienced surfers chasing size and power. For the rest of us, the second week's glassy mornings are where it's at. Keep an eye on those afternoon storms.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1123 | 1314 | 1001 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 451 | 386 | 331 | 301 | 220 | 220 | 246 | 326 | 314 | 239 | 494 | 881 | 1297 | 1415 | 1314 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:32PM2.45m | 3:54AM2.58m | 4:09PM2.46m | 4:29AM2.63m | 4:47PM2.44m | 5:06AM2.65m | 5:26PM2.39m | 5:45AM2.61m | 6:09PM2.30m | 6:29AM2.54m | 6:57PM2.20m | 7:20AM2.43m | 7:54PM2.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:27AM0.36m | 9:40PM0.25m | 10:04AM0.29m | 10:14PM0.23m | 10:42AM0.24m | 10:50PM0.24m | 11:21AM0.24m | 11:28PM0.28m | 12:04PM0.28m | 00:11AM0.36m | 12:51PM0.36m | 00:59AM0.46m | 1:46PM0.45m | 1:57AM0.57m | |||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Temp °C | 31 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 34 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 1123 | 1314 | 1001 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 451 | 386 | 331 | 301 | 220 | 75 | 241 | 238 | 70 | 54 | 494 | 881 | 1297 | 1415 | 1314 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SW 18 | SW 12 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 47 | 58 | 31 | 48 | 46 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 56 | 73 | 112 | 220 | 45 | 326 | 149 | 239 | 47 | 151 | 133 | 103 | 95 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | S 10 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 8 | SSW 20 | W 9 | SW 18 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 7 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 11 | W 8 |
| kJ | 38 | — | 18 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 6 | 84 | 5 | 112 | 246 | 45 | 314 | 144 | 174 | 14 | 15 | 24 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 119 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 43 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 16 | 16 | 198 | 16 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Golfo de Nicoya | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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