Copacabana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight—Copacabana’s got a tough run ahead, but there are a couple of windows that’ll make it worth paddling out.

The next few days are pretty average. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th serve up poor surf—small 5ft to 4ft NW swell with cross-on winds, so it’s choppy and messy. Not worth a look.

Monday morning the 31st is where things start to turn. We’ve got a 5ft NW groundswell with a 10-second period, and it’s glassy—dead calm. That’s a proper session. The combined energy is moderate at 521, so there’s enough push to get into something fun. This is the standout for the early part of the forecast. Copacabana’s an exposed beach, and with a NW swell direction matching the optimum, the lines should be decent. Just note, it’s a consistent spot, and crowds are possible—so get in early.

By Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell drops to 4ft with glassy conditions again in the morning, but it’s shorter period at 9 seconds, so less grunt. Still a solid option for a quick paddle.

Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are flat and weak—energy around 65 to 98. Not worth the drive.

Then Friday morning the 4th of September—this is the other real standout. We’ve got 5ft NW swell, but the period jumps to 13 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell with plenty of energy (738). Glassy conditions in the morning. This one’s got punch and shape. Again, crowds are possible.

Saturday the 5th has bigger swell—6ft by the afternoon with a 14-second period and combined energy of 1511—strong stuff. But the wind turns cross-off and moderate, so it’s clean enough for experienced surfers. At 6ft, it’s pushing into expert territory for the bigger sets, especially with that long period making it a bit tricky at a beach break. Still, if you’ve got the skills, it’s worth a look.

After that, Sunday the 6th through Wednesday the 10th is mostly poor—small, onshore, and choppy. A gap of almost four days with nothing decent.

Thursday the 11th of September shows a 3ft, 15-second period NW swell—very long period, so it’ll be clean but the sets will be widely spaced. Combined energy is moderate at 404. Best for a point break or reef, but at Copacabana beach, it might break a bit too straight.

Finally, Sunday morning the 13th of September brings a 4ft NW swell with a 12-second period, glassy conditions, and energy at 592—a solid late pick. Crowds possible.

Water temp is sitting around 72°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—nice surprise on the skin.

Best on offer: Monday morning the 31st of August and Friday morning the 4th of September. Both are glassy with good groundswell and moderate energy. Don’t sleep on them.

Rusty.

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