Canto do Leblon Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf coming up at Canto do Leblon over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, the water’s a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – about 73°, and that’s a bit above the norm. The general pattern is small and messy for the next few days, so don’t get your hopes up for the immediate start. The first real chance of a wave is Friday morning, 21 August, with a small 2ft clean little swell from the ESE, period only 7 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the NNW. It’s surfable, but very ordinary – wave energy is weak (60), and it’s not going to get you excited. After that, Friday afternoon turns ugly with a fresh 19 mph cross-shore from the SW, lumpy and poor.

Saturday the 22nd is a write-off for most of the day – cloudy, cross-onshore winds, and a lumpy 4ft south swell in the morning. By Saturday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 5ft from the south with a longer period of 11 seconds, and the energy jumps (521), but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy. Sunday the 23rd stays similar – 4ft south swell, but light cross-shore winds keep it average at best.

Monday the 24th sees the swell building. Morning brings 6ft from the south, period 13 seconds, and moderate energy (933), but rain and a cross-onshore breeze spoil it. By Monday afternoon, the swell hits 7ft from the south, period 14 seconds, and the energy is strong (1929). That’s a solid groundswell, but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s only for the experienced crew looking for a challenge. This size is too much for beginners.

Tuesday the 25th still has a solid 7ft south swell (14-second period, energy 1797) in the morning, with light cross-shore winds. It’s clean but on the big side – definitely expert territory. The afternoon drops slightly to 6ft, but the cross-onshore wind comes back.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday the 26th is the standout in this window. Wednesday morning, the wind goes glassy – zero from the west – and we’ve got a clean 5ft south swell, period 12 seconds, with strong energy (915). That’s a beaut. The afternoon stays glassy, with a slight southerly breeze, and the swell drops to 4ft but still clean. If you can get out mid-week, this is the best day on offer. The break is a beach and point, fairly exposed to the swell, and the optimum direction from the SE matches up well with the south swell direction. Crowds are sometimes a problem here, so keep that in mind.

Thursday the 27th morning is also a cracker – clear skies, light cross-offshore from the NE, and a 6ft swell from the SSE, period 14 seconds, energy 1080. Clean waves. The afternoon turns cross-onshore again, so make the most of the morning.

Friday the 28th morning has a smaller 3ft SSE swell, period 13 seconds, with a cross-offshore breeze from the NNE – clean and fun, but not as punchy. Energy is moderate (405). The rest of the day and weekend fade out. Saturday the 29th is tiny and messy, with only 3ft ESE swell in the morning, and Sunday the 30th is a washout with strong cross-shore winds.

Into the second week, things get patchy. The next potential moment is around Wednesday morning, 2 September, but it’s an insignificant 1ft ESE swell – not worth paddling out for. The real long-range glimmer is Friday morning, 4 September, with a 5ft south swell, very long period of 15 seconds, and strong energy (1143). That’s a groundswell with serious push, but the wind is onshore from the SE, so it’s marginal. Saturday the 5th September morning offers a small 3ft south swell, period 12 seconds, with glassy conditions from the WNW – that could be a fun little session if the forecasts hold.

Overall, the clear winner is Wednesday the 26th of August – glassy, clean, 5ft south swell with good energy. Get on it.

Rusty.

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