Copacabana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Copacabana over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some real potential later on if you’re patient. The first few days are pretty quiet, with only a small window of decent waves on Thursday the 10th morning. That morning you’ll see a clean 5ft NW groundswell with a solid 10-second period and light cross-off wind – it’s a nice little session, with moderate wave energy (374). Water temp is sitting at 69°, which is bang on average for this time of year. The crowd factor is there sometimes, so you might share a few waves.

After that, things go flat and ordinary. Friday the 11th morning has tiny 2ft surf and glassy conditions, but it’s weak (102) and barely worth a paddle. Saturday the 12th is even smaller. From Friday afternoon right through to Saturday, it’s mostly cross-shore wind and poor surf – a real lull.

Then Sunday the 13th morning is the standout. That’s the one to circle. Clean 5ft NW groundswell with a long 13-second period, light offshore breeze, and strong wave energy (631). Conditions are excellent – clean, lined-up, and punchy. This is the best session of the first week, no doubt. Monday the 14th morning is also good with 4ft NW groundswell (336), but it’s not quite as powerful.

The middle of the week turns messy. Tuesday the 15th through Wednesday the 16th is all onshore wind, rain showers, and poor quality – a write-off for paddle surfing. Thursday the 17th morning has a bigger swell (6ft, 816) but it’s cross-shore and lumpy, more interesting for kite surfing than a clean ride.

Back to glassy goodness on Sunday the 20th morning – 4ft NW groundswell, 13-second period, and glassy wind. That’s another solid option, with moderate-strong energy (463). Tuesday the 22nd morning is also glassy with 3ft NW swell (207), a nice little clean-up set.

Now, the real beast shows up on Friday the 25th. That morning you’ve got a massive 12ft NNW groundswell with a very long 15-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is extreme (5093). But – and this is a big but – that’s way too big for Copacabana. Only expert surfers should even consider it, and even then it’s likely just a show. The swell direction is NNW, which is off the optimum NW, but the size and period are staggering.

So, the honest call? Your best windows are Sunday the 13th morning, Monday the 14th morning, and Sunday the 20th morning. If you’re an experienced local, the 25th might be a spectacle, but don’t expect a friendly wave.

Until next time,
Rusty

Read more