Canto do Leblon Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s shaking at Canto do Leblon over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re in a dry spell. The first real shot at surfable waves doesn’t come until Thursday the 24th of July, and even then it’s not much. From now until then, it’s a solid 6 days of tiny swell and ordinary conditions. You’ll see little 0.5m to 0.9m SE pulses, mostly clean on the north cross-off wind, but the energy is weak (combined energy between 50 and 200). Hardly worth getting wet for.

Thursday 24th July morning finally gives us a little bump: a 0.7m south swell with a 9-second period, light north winds keeping it clean. The energy is a bit more there at 112, but it’s just *surfable*. The afternoon gets blown out by a stronger SW wind.

Saturday 26th July is where things start to cook. A long-period south groundswell arrives with an 18-second period on Sunday morning, but the wind is cross-shore from the ENE, and the energy jumps to 421. That’s moderate, but that long period (over 15 seconds) is better for points and reefs than a beach-and-point setup, so it might be a bit straight. The afternoon of the 26th sees the swell hit 1.6m from the south, with a massive energy of 1556, but the wind is cross-onshore from the east, making it choppy. A marginal call.

Monday 27th July morning is the early standout. Clean conditions with a solid 1.2m south swell, 13-second period, and a strong offshore W wind at 25 km/h. The combined energy is 905, that’s strong. This is for experienced surfers — the swell is over 1.5m, so it’s a bit much for beginners, but that offshore wind will make it a proper clean wave. The afternoon gets messy with strong cross-shore winds.

Now, the real prize is at the very end of the 16-day window. Friday 31st July morning is the one to call in sick for. We’ve got a 2.0m south swell, 12-second period, and glassy conditions with a light NNE breeze. The energy is pumping at 1719 (very strong). This is excellent surf for experts — over 2.0m, it’s expert territory. The Saturday 1st August morning also looks good with 1.4m of south swell, 14-second period, glassy NNW winds, and an energy of 913. Another strong, clean session.

Crowd situation: Canto do Leblon gets crowded sometimes, so for those standout sessions on the 31st July and 1st August, expect company.

The water temp is 22°C, which is about average for this time of year.

If you’re looking at the end of the month, keep an eye on it. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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