Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s is also forecast. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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+) | 6AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Playa Samara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. The only spot on the agenda is Playa Samara (Costa Rica), and it’s a beach-and-reef setup that’s exposed to the southwest swell. The water temp is sitting right around the long-term average for this time of year, so no surprises there – just your usual warm Costa Rican bath.
The pattern over the next 16 days is a steady pulse of SW groundswell, with a couple of real standout windows. The first one hits Friday morning, August 28th. We’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the SW with a very long period of 19 seconds, and a light NE cross-off breeze. The combined energy is moderate (793), but that long period will give you some real push and shape at the point. Expect very good surf conditions, and a light crowd factor – just a few keen locals.
The real gem of the whole forecast lands on Saturday morning, August 29th. The swell bumps up to 5 ft from the SW with a 16-second period, combined energy is strong (1103), and the wind is a light NE cross-off. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and well-shaped. This is the one to circle.
Sunday morning, August 30th, still holds at 5 ft from the SW with a 14-second period and a light ENE cross-off. Clean and very good, but the period is a bit shorter, so the sets will be a little more frequent. Still a solid session.
There’s a bit of a lull through the middle of the week, with small, shorter-period swells and onshore winds kicking in from Monday afternoon through Tuesday. The surf gets pretty poor and inconsistent. Takes a dip.
Then a new pulse arrives on Wednesday morning, September 2nd – a clean 2 ft from the SW with an 18-second period, nice NW cross-off breeze. Very good but small, better for the loggers.
The next big standout hits Friday morning, September 4th. Swell jumps to 4 ft from the SW with a 17-second period, and glassy conditions thanks to a light ENE breeze. Combined energy is strong (1247). Excellent surf for experienced surfers. This one looks promising.
Saturday morning, September 5th, is another cracker – 5 ft from the SW, 16-second period, glassy wind. Combined energy is strong (1401). This is proper, clean, and powerful. The standout for the second week.
There’s another good window on the morning of Wednesday, September 9th, with 5 ft from the SW and a clean NE cross-off. Then Thursday morning, September 10th, glassy with 5 ft from the SW. And Friday morning, September 11th, goes glassy with 5 ft from the SW, calm winds. All excellent for experienced surfers.
Overall, the best of the best is Saturday morning, August 29th, and the next top pick is Saturday morning, September 5th. Crowds are possible at Samara but not always packed – just a few regulars. This is a consistent spot, so expect more good days to come even if the forecasts shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | 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 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 245 | 450 | 358 | 1215 | 1017 | 1314 | 1001 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 392 | 386 | 331 | 301 | 252 | 220 | 246 | 326 | 314 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:45AM2.35m | 2:55PM2.39m | 3:20AM2.48m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:49AM0.46m | 9:06PM0.30m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 8 | 5 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 34 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 245 | 450 | 358 | 1215 | 1017 | 1314 | 1001 | 911 | 821 | 621 | 392 | 386 | 331 | 78 | 252 | 220 | 238 | 238 | 66 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SW 16 | SSW 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SW 12 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 34 | 299 | 35 | 161 | 48 | 56 | 35 | 48 | 46 | 34 | 31 | 66 | 44 | 301 | 39 | 45 | 246 | 326 | 149 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | S 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 11 | — | S 10 | SW 6 | SW 6 | W 9 | WSW 6 | W 10 | SW 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 6 | S 7 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 14 | 44 | 89 | 189 | 38 | — | 18 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 36 | 84 | 112 | 112 | 28 | 47 | 314 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 66 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 9 | 43 | 145 | 16 | 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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