Copacabana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what Copacabana’s got cooking for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you—it’s a mixed bag, with a lot of flat, messy days, but a couple of windows that could be absolute magic if you’re on the ball.

The water temp is 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might be fine in a spring suit or even a shorty on a sunny day.

We start off with nothing much. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are tiny and messy—waves from 1 ft to 4 ft, short period, and cross-onshore winds making it choppy and ugly. The combined energy is weak to moderate (13 to 423), but the quality is poor. Not worth paddling out.

Friday the 21st sees a bit more size—6 ft from the NW—but with 15 mph cross-onshore winds and rain. The energy is moderate (733), but the conditions are just too rough. Give it a miss.

Now, Saturday morning the 22nd, that’s the first real standout. The swell drops to 4 ft from the NNW, period 9 seconds, and the wind goes glassy—SSW at 3 mph. That’s clean, smooth, and the energy is moderate (329). The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” and I agree. It’s a small but fun morning, perfect for intermediate surfers. Crowds are “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’s not packed.

After that, things go quiet again. Sunday the 23rd through to Tuesday the 27th are mostly small, poor, and messy. A few glassy moments like Tuesday morning the 25th (4 ft, calm wind) but the energy is low (152) and the waves are ordinary. Not worth the trip.

Thursday the 27th afternoon brings 6 ft NW swell with moderate energy (603), but the wind is onshore and the conditions are marginal. You’d be working hard for a few average ones.

Then Friday morning the 28th—this is the best of the run. The swell is 5 ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, and the wind is glassy again (ENE at 3 mph). The energy is moderate (522), and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your standout session. Clean, glassy, solid waist-to-chest high waves. Intermediate surfers will love it. Just watch for the “sometimes” crowd.

After that, it dies off again until the very end of the forecast window. Sunday the 30th is a write-off, but Monday the 31st of August sees a big spike: 10 ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, with an energy of 1654 (strong). The wind is light and cross-shore, and the comment says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a washing machine. Beginners, stay well clear.

Tuesday the 1st of September is marginal, but then Wednesday morning the 2nd of September brings another glassy session: 6 ft NW swell, calm wind, 516 energy, and “very good surf conditions.” This one is a solid, clean day with proper waves.

Thursday the 3rd of September morning is also glassy, with 4 ft NW swell and 224 energy. Another good one for the intermediate crew.

So, to sum it up: the standout sessions are Saturday morning the 22nd, Friday morning the 28th, and Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. The glassy conditions and moderate swell make these the pick of the bunch. Crowds are sometimes, so get there early. The rest of the period is mostly forgettable, with a few big, messy days that are only for the brave.

That’s the call from me. Keep an eye on the forecast, because the glassy days are the ones that’ll deliver.

Rusty.

Read more