Copacabana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and it’s been a quiet stretch out here at Copacabana. We’re looking at a long, slow start to the forecast period, with barely a ripple worth paddling for through the first few days. The water’s sittin’ at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, about 72°, so that’s one small comfort while you’re staring at flat ocean.

From Monday 3 August through most of Wednesday 5 August, it’s dead flat with swell heights barely reaching 1 ft and combined energy dribbling in at 20 to 45 – weak as dishwater. Winds are mostly light cross-onshore, so even if there was anything, it’d be messy. Thursday 6 August morning shows a little pulse: 4 ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 232 (moderate), but the wind is cross-off from the ENE at 19 mph, giving it a clean look. Still, it’s only rated as marginal, and the afternoon turns choppy. Not worth chasing.

Friday 7 August morning is the first real tease – glassy conditions with a light NE breeze, swell 2 ft from the NNW, period 8 seconds, energy at 59. It’s surfable but ordinary, and only a 1 out of 10 on the quality scale. The rest of Friday and Saturday are back to tiny, poor waves.

Sunday 9 August morning brings another glassy window with 3 ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, energy 119 (moderate). Still, it’s just ordinary, and the afternoon wind goes onshore. We’re scraping the bottom of the barrel here.

Now, the standout window is Tuesday 11 August morning. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook. Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro) picks up 3 ft from the NNW at 10 seconds, combined energy of 208 (moderate), and it’s glassy – dead calm, no wind. That’s clean surf, and the swell direction is bang on the optimum NW. Waves will be small but fun for intermediates, and with the crowds listed as “sometimes”, you might get a few waves to yourself. The longer 10-second period helps shape things up a bit.

The second week turns interesting, but it’s a longer-range call. Sunday 16 August afternoon sees a jump: 7 ft from the NW, period 7 seconds, and energy roaring to 498 (strong). It’s glassy again, with clean conditions. That’s a solid size, but the short period (7 seconds) means it’s a bit jumbled at a beach break – more power than finesse. For experts only at that size, and it’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Monday 17 August morning keeps the energy going with 6 ft from the NNW, 9 seconds, energy 780 (strong), but the wind is light cross-onshore. Afternoon sees 6 ft with onshore wind. The swell is there, but the quality drops. By Tuesday 18 August, the wind picks up to 16 mph, and it’s choppy.

Overall, for a place that’s fairly consistent, this is a blank run. The only real standout is Tuesday 11 August morning – glassy, clean, small but workable. The big swell later in the second week is promising but less certain. Winds can change. For now, I’d be looking at that Tuesday morning window and crossing your fingers for the 16th.

Rusty.

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