Surf Forecasts:
Playa Samara surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,722 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 22) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. 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 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12PM. 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+) | 9AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (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. Let’s talk about the surf coming up at Playa Samara (Costa Rica). The next 16 days start a bit slow, but there’s a real sweet spot around the last weekend of July and into early August that’s got me fired up.
The first few days are nothing to write home about. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd offer small, clean waves, but the energy is low (combined energy around 299). It’s more of a mess-around-on-a-foamie kind of vibe. Thursday afternoon gets a cross-shore wind bump and a bit of a lumpy swell, nothing special.
Then from Friday the 24th, things start to wake up. Friday morning serves up a clean, offshore 2ft groundswell from the SW, with a very long period of 24 seconds. That’s proper juice, and the combined energy jumps to 828. That long period will make the waves peel nicely, but at a beach-and-reef break like this, it can make things a bit straight and tricky. Still, with light offshore wind, it’s a great morning for a paddle.
Saturday the 25th morning is another standout – 3ft SW swell, long period of 21 seconds, clean offshore wind, and energy at 756. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. This is the kind of glassy start that’ll have you grinning.
Sunday the 26th is the real highlight. The morning is glassy with a 4ft SW swell, 19-second period, and energy at 898. But the afternoon – that’s the one. 4ft SW swell, glassy conditions, and a massive combined energy of 1135. That’s moderate energy, but with the swell direction matching the optimum (SSW) and the glassy wind, it’s going to be clean and punchy. This is for experienced surfers, as the swell’s getting up there, but if you’ve got the skill, this is the best on offer.
Monday the 27th morning keeps the run going – 4ft SW swell, 19 seconds, offshore wind, and energy at 1438. That’s solid moderate energy. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-onshore wind, so get in early.
The following week settles down. Thursday the 30th morning is a beauty – calm, glassy, 4ft SW swell, 14-second period, and energy at 585. Clean and fun. Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August have small, clean waves, but the energy drops off. Sunday the 2nd is flat and poor. Monday the 3rd picks up a little with a clean 2ft swell, but it’s nothing to rush out for.
If you’re after the best, aim for Sunday the 26th afternoon and Monday the 27th morning. That’s when Playa Samara is going to be clean, with proper swell and good energy. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect it to be empty.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 26 | SW 8 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 250 | 173 | 156 | 92 | 93 | 196 | 255 | 563 | 271 | 898 | 658 | 563 | 1210 | 800 | 996 | 1062 | 800 | 715 | 1465 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:36AM2.28m | 9:06PM1.94m | 9:29AM2.17m | 10:06PM1.85m | 10:26AM2.09m | 11:10PM1.81m | 11:26AM2.07m | 00:12AM1.84m | 12:23PM2.11m | 1:07AM1.91m | 1:14PM2.18m | 1:55AM2.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:15AM0.59m | 3:03PM0.63m | 3:07AM0.73m | 4:02PM0.69m | 4:05AM0.82m | 5:03PM0.71m | 5:06AM0.85m | 6:02PM0.68m | 6:06AM0.83m | 6:56PM0.61m | 7:01AM0.77m | 7:43PM0.52m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | 13 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 6 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 220 | 119 | 119 | 92 | 31 | 196 | 255 | 210 | 140 | 898 | 658 | 563 | 1210 | 800 | 996 | 1062 | 546 | 525 | 1465 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 7 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 24 | S 7 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | S 8 | S 11 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 9 |
| kJ | 250 | 173 | 156 | 23 | 93 | 58 | 58 | 563 | 38 | 114 | 56 | 46 | 146 | 63 | 127 | 94 | 800 | 715 | 41 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 26 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 24 | SW 12 | S 8 | WSW 8 | W 10 | SSW 10 | WSW 8 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 7 | 39 | 34 | 171 | 109 | 55 | 271 | 51 | 42 | 45 | 48 | 35 | 12 | 18 | 92 | 67 | 28 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 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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