Costa Nova Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Costa Nova.

First up, the water is about 68°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest suit just yet.

The next week is a real bummer. From Monday 3rd of August all the way through to about Wednesday 12th of August, there’s almost nothing worth talking about. The swell is tiny and weak – combined energy mostly under 200 (207 on Monday afternoon, dropping to as low as 45 by Saturday 8th). The wind is almost always cross-on from the NW or NNW, keeping everything choppy and messy. It’s all poor surf conditions.

The only half-decent moment in that stretch is the morning of Thursday 13th of August. We get glassy conditions with a 3ft W swell at 9 seconds. Combined energy is 167 – still moderate, but with no wind, it’ll be the cleanest you’ll see. Still, it’s very ordinary.

Heading into the second week, things pick up. Saturday 15th of August afternoon brings an 8ft NNW swell, but it’s short-period (7 seconds) and onshore from the W. That’s a messy, blown-out 8ft – combined energy hits 540 (strong). That’s for experts only, and with the wind howling, it’s going to be a rough one.

The best window of the whole forecast is Monday 17th of August morning. We’ve got a 6ft NNW swell with an 8-second period, and combined energy of 510 (strong). The wind is light cross-on from the SSW – the best wind we’ll see. It’s still marginal, but this is your best shot. The swell is too big for beginners, but for anyone comfortable in head-high-plus surf, get in the water. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so don’t expect total solitude.

Honestly, if you’re not aiming for that Monday 17th of August morning, you might as well stay home. A lot of this run looks better for kite surfing than paddle surfing, with all that onshore wind and short-period chop.

It’s a dry spell, but the forecasts can change. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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