The Rock-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a solid 16-day window on the cards for The Rock-Costa Azul, a reef setup that’s strictly for the advanced crew. The water is sitting at a toasty 87°F, which is a whopping 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, like slipping into a bath. It’s going to feel muggy out there.

The action kicks off Friday morning, the 28th of August. This is the standout of the whole forecast. We’ve got a clean 4ft groundswell rolling in from the SSW with a long 17-second period. The combined energy is pumping at a strong 1127, and the wind is a light, cross-offshore breeze from the SW at 6 mph. The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers; the waves will have real shape and power, and the lineup will be clean. This is the one to circle.

Later that Friday afternoon, the swell bumps up slightly to 5ft from the SW, but the wind swings to a moderate 16 mph cross-offshore. It’s still clean, but the added wind makes it a bit more of a handful. Saturday morning the 29th sees a similar 5ft SSW swell, but the wind turns cross-onshore, putting a little crinkle on the face. It’s not the same quality.

The bigger stuff arrives on Sunday morning the 30th, with the swell climbing to 6ft from the SSW at 14 seconds. The energy is huge at 1370, but the wind is straight cross-shore from the SSW at 6 mph, which will leave some bumps. The size is getting into the territory where it’s too much for beginners, and the messy conditions hold it back. Monday the 31st gives us a 5ft SSW swell with a tidy 13-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze in the morning – that’s a solid, fun wave, but not the peak of the week.

We hit a bit of a lull from Tuesday the 1st of September through to Thursday the 3rd. The swell drops significantly, going as low as 3ft, and the winds are mostly onshore or light. There’s a brief moment on Tuesday afternoon with glassy conditions and 3ft, but the energy is weak (378). The quality just isn’t there for a recommendation.

The second week gets interesting again. Friday the 4th of September afternoon brings back the goods: a 5ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, strong energy at 1348, and a clean cross-offshore breeze. That’s another excellent session for the experienced. Then, on Sunday the 6th of September morning, we get glassy conditions with a 4ft SSW swell and 15-second period. The energy is still moderate at 1018, and the surf will be clean and lined up. It’s a promising, long-range call.

The energy tails off through the final days, with the swell dropping under 3ft and the good glassy windows becoming few and far between. The best of the late run is Tuesday the 8th of September afternoon, with a 3ft SSW swell, a 16-second period, and complete glass. The energy is there (852), but the size is small. It’s worth a paddle if you’re desperate.

So, for the absolute best on offer, lock in Friday morning the 28th of August. The second best is the Friday afternoon on the 4th of September. Both are clean, powerful, and made for the experienced surfer.

Rusty.

Read more