Copacabana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid stretch of surf ahead at the one spot we’re looking at, Copacabana. It’s a classic exposed beachbreak that loves a northwest swell, and the water temp is sittin’ about average for this time of year. Nothin’ crazy, just normal for late winter.

We start off on Wednesday the 26th of August, and honestly, Wednesday is a write-off. Tiny 1ft waves with weak energy (33) and cross-off to onshore wind makin’ a mess of things. Thursday the 27th is a step up, but it’s still pretty ordinary. Morning glass-off with 3ft swell from the WNW, period a short 7 seconds, energy just 93 – it’s surfable, but you’re workin’ for scraps. Thursday afternoon stays glassy with 2ft waves, but still, nothin’ to get fired up about.

Now, Friday the 28th of August is where it starts to get interesting. Early morning you’ve got clean, cross-off wind and 5ft swell from the NW, period 8 seconds, energy jumpin’ to 290. That’s a fun, punchy wave for an intermediate surfer. Friday afternoon sees the swell spike to 8ft and energy rockets to 1081 – but the wind swings onshore and conditions get messy. That afternoon push is real power, but it’s not gonna be clean. Saturday the 29th morning is your best bet of the early run: glassy, clean, 5ft of NW swell with 8-second period and energy at 303. That’s a solid, fun morning on the beach.

Sunday the 30th morning keeps the quality goin’ – glassy again, 5ft swell, period up to 10 seconds, energy 409. That’s some decent groundswell, and it’ll hold shape nicely. Monday the 31st and into Tuesday the 1st of September sees a drop in quality with onshore wind, but Tuesday the 1st morning you get another glass-off with 4ft NW swell, 10-second period, energy 220. Not the biggest, but clean and fun.

We hit a bit of a lull Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd – small, messy, not worth paddlin’ out for. Friday the 4th is a write-off with cross-on winds and choppy conditions despite a 4ft 12-second swell. That long period swell is powerful but with onshore wind, it’s a messy battle.

But here’s the real standout, and it’s worth waitin’ for: Tuesday the 8th of September morning. Copacabana cleans right up with flat calm, glassy conditions, 5ft of NW swell at 10 seconds, energy 509. That’s a beautiful morning – clean, solid, and powerful. The waves will have good shape and plenty of push for an intermediate to step up. Wednesday the 9th morning is also glassy with 5ft swell, but the period drops to 9 seconds – still good, but not quite the same level. And Thursday the 10th morning is another cracker – clean offshore cross-off wind, 6ft NW swell, 10-second period, energy a healthy 621. That’s two exceptional mornings back-to-back in the second week.

So, if you’re pickin’ your sessions, aim for Saturday the 29th of August morning, Tuesday the 8th of September morning, or Thursday the 10th of September morning. Tuesday the 8th is my tip for the best wave of the whole run – it’s got the size, the period, and glassy conditions. Crowds can be a thing here sometimes, so get in early.

Rusty.

Read more