Canto do Leblon Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

It’s looking like a bit of a slow start, but we’ve got some solid windows coming up, especially for the patient surfer. The water is sitting at 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might not need the thickest rubber.

The first real chance to get wet kicks off Tuesday 8th September morning at Canto do Leblon. We’ve got a clean 4ft south swell rolling in with a 10-second period. The wind is glassy out of the north-northeast at 3 mph, which is a dream. The combined energy is moderate (370), and the break is fairly exposed, so it should be handling that south swell well. This is your best early call.

That afternoon, the wind swings cross-on and the surf drops slightly, so the morning is where it’s at. The north-northwest offshore wind is the preferred direction here, and Tuesday morning’s wind is close enough to keep things clean. Crowds are possible, as it’s a consistent spot, so get there early.

Wednesday 10th September is another standout. The morning starts with a clean 3ft south swell, period stretching to 12 seconds, and light cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (290). That afternoon, the swell holds and the wind stays cross-off, with a longer 13-second period adding some real push. Clean conditions both sessions.

Thursday 11th September morning is a gem. Glassy conditions with a light north-east cross-offshore breeze, 3ft south swell, and a 14-second period (groundswell). The energy is moderate (443). That long period means better shaped waves, but at a beach and point setup like this, the longer period south swell can sometimes run a bit straight. Still, it’s clean, and it’s the best looking wave of the first week.

Monday 14th September afternoon gives us a second wind. A 4ft south swell with 11 seconds, light cross-offshore wind from the north-northeast, and moderate energy (503). Clean conditions.

Friday 18th September morning is a sneaky good one. 5ft east swell, but the period is short at 6 seconds. The wind is light cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean, but that short period means it won’t have much grunt. Still, a clean wave is a clean wave.

Saturday 19th September morning is the biggest swell of the forecast at 6ft from the east, with a 7-second period. That’s getting into the intermediate-to-expert range, especially if you’re not used to that size. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the short period means it’ll be a bit crumbly on the face. The energy is moderate (476).

Now, for the real standout. Wednesday 23rd September morning is the one to circle. This is 16 days out, so it’s a long-range promise, but it looks incredible. A 6ft south swell with a very long 14-second period, and the wind is light cross-offshore. The combined energy is strong (1389). This is pure groundswell, and at a point break like Canto do Leblon, that long period is going to wrap in beautifully. This is the best wave of the entire outlook. The afternoon is a bit more marginal, but the morning should be firing for experienced surfers.

There’s a notable gap between Saturday 12th September and Sunday 13th September where the conditions turn poor – choppy, cross-on winds and dropping swell. That’s a couple of days of flat or messy surf.

Overall, the first week has a few good windows, but Tuesday 11th September morning and Wednesday 23rd September morning are the true standouts. The rest is a mix of clean but small, or bigger but short period. Keep your eyes on that last Wednesday.

Rusty.

Read more