Copacabana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s get into it.

The first few days of this forecast period are pretty much a write-off, I gotta be honest. There’s some swell showing, but the wind and conditions aren’t playing ball. It’s not until Thursday the 19th that we see anything worth getting wet for.

Wednesday 15th September is a no-go. We got a 5-foot swell from the WNW, but it’s short-period slop at 6 seconds and onshore breeze has it chopped to bits. The water’s sitting at a warm 70° with a water temperature anomaly of 2°, so it’s a bit above average for the time of year, which is nice, but you wouldn’t know it from the poor surf. Wave energy is weak (203). Move on.

The next few days, from the 16th through the 18th, are just frustrating. There’s a slow build in swell size, and on Friday afternoon the 18th, we see a jump to 8 feet from the NW with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a serious groundswell, and the combined energy gets up to a strong 2662. But the wind is cross-onshore and the conditions are rated as marginal. That wave comment says “poor surf conditions” for that afternoon. It’s a tease.

Saturday morning the 19th of September is where it finally snaps into place. That’s our first real standout. Swell is still a solid 8 feet from the NW, with a 13-second period. The cross-offshore wind from the east at only 6 mph will clean it right up. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and with energy at 1783, this is moderate to strong. That’s a lot of power. The size puts it over 8 feet, so this is for the experienced crew only. It’s going to be a powerful, clean groundswell.

Sunday morning the 20th also looks clean with a 5-foot NW swell and light offshore wind. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions,” but the energy is a lot lower at 591. Still a fun option.

Looking further ahead, Wednesday morning the 23rd shows another clean one. Swell is 5 feet from the NW at 14 seconds, with very light wind. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” Combined energy is moderate at 899. That’s a nice clean groundswell day.

Saturday the 26th of September morning is another one to circle. We have a 4-foot swell with a very long period of 17 seconds from the NW, clean conditions. The energy is moderate (728). The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” For a 4-foot swell, that period is a real bonus for shape and power.

After that, the last few days of the month get messy. The wind swings onshore again, and the conditions turn poor. Tuesday the 29th morning is worth a mention – a 7-foot NW swell at 11 seconds, with a light cross-offshore wind from the SW at 3 mph. The wave comment is “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s a strong 7 feet, so again, for the experienced only.

To sum it up: The best on offer is Saturday morning the 19th for the big, clean, powerful groundswell, and Tuesday morning the 29th for another dose of excellent but expert-level waves. There’s a whole gap from the start until the 19th, so don’t bother before then. This is Copacabana we’re talking about, a consistent spot, but the wind has to cooperate. Crowds are listed as “sometimes” here, so expect company if it’s good.

Rusty out.

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