Costa Nova Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and let’s take a good look at what’s coming up for Costa Nova.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start with some solid swell on Friday the 28th of August, but the real fun is a little later in the window. The first good waves arrive Friday morning with a clean 7ft swell from the WNW at 11 seconds. The combined energy of all swells directed here is a solid 1027, so there’s plenty of push. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is about average for this time of year. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSE at 9 mph, making for some clean, lined-up sets. This is for experienced surfers though – that 7ft has some punch. The standout here is Friday morning. Get out there early before the wind swings onshore in the afternoon and messes it all up.

Saturday the 29th starts with a glassy morning, light northerly air, and a smaller 5ft NW swell at 8 seconds (short period, so a bit weaker shape). The combined energy is down to 313. It’s surfable for the learner crew, but not a classic. By Sunday and Monday, the wind picks up and the quality drops right off. A lot of poor conditions with moderate cross-shore breezes through the middle of the week. From Sunday the 30th all the way through to the 9th of September, it’s a real mixed bag – mostly marginal or poor with onshore chop. No recommendations for good surf in that stretch.

Then, on Thursday the 10th of September, a little morning window pops up. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the NNW at 7 seconds. That’s a short-period swell, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and not as clean as a groundswell, but the wind is a light cross-off from the south at 3 mph and the conditions are clean. The combined energy is 378 - moderate energy. It’s rideable, but again, only for the experienced crowd given the size. Not a true standout, but a break in the poor weather.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th of September see cross-off winds and some clean early windows, but the swell drops to 4-4ft and the period stays short at 7 seconds. Combined energy is weak to moderate. It’s ordinary surf. Good for a longboard or a mellow session, but not anything to write home about.

For the whole 16-day run, the one real highlight is Friday the 28th of August morning. That’s the best on offer. The water’s about average temp, the swell is pumping, and the wind is kind. After that, it’s a lot of waiting and hoping for better conditions. There are no big surprises in the second week, just some short-period swell with cross-offs that might give you a clean ride if you’re flexible.

Rusty.

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