The Rock-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid window of swell coming through for The Rock-Costa Azul, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag – some real gems for the experienced crew, and some flat spells. Let’s break it down.

The standout period kicks off Monday, 27 July, with a building SSW groundswell. The Rock-Costa Azul is an advanced reef break that’s consistent and exposed, loving swell from the S. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

Monday morning is a bit messy with a cross-shore breeze and 5ft swell from the SSW, but the combined wave energy is already pumping at 2742 (strong). By Monday afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft from the S, with a cross-offshore wind cleaning it up. This is the start of the good stuff.

Tuesday, 28 July morning is the real standout. It’s 10ft of SSW swell with a 16-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell packing serious energy (4059). The wind is light and cross-shore, making for clean conditions. But listen, at 10ft, this is expert territory only. The long period means it’ll be walling up nicely on this reef, but expect big sets and long lulls between them. Crowds are likely here, so pick your peak wisely.

Tuesday afternoon drops to 7ft but the wind picks up to a fresh 30 km/h cross-offshore, still clean but a bit gnarly. Wednesday, 29 July, offers more solid SSW groundswell – 6ft in the morning with light winds and clean conditions, and 5ft in the afternoon with a moderate offshore breeze. Both sessions are excellent for experienced surfers, with wave energy around 1800-1900 (strong).

Thursday, 30 July, sees the swell easing to 4ft but still a long 14-second period, with clean conditions both morning and afternoon. The combined energy is still solid (1073-1194). This is a good call for the advanced crowd.

From Friday, 31 July, things start to fade. The swell drops to 3ft and the winds turn cross or cross-on, making it marginal. Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 August, drop further to 2-3ft, with poor surf on Saturday morning and only marginal conditions after that. The combined energy falls below 500 (weak).

There’s a real gap from Monday, 3 August, through to about Thursday, 6 August, with tiny swell (1-2ft) and very ordinary conditions. Not much to paddle for. The energy is below 200 (weak), so it’s a flat period.

Things start to perk up again on Friday, 7 August, with a new SSW groundswell building to 3ft, period 18 seconds, and combined energy at 710 (moderate). The winds are light cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect but there’s life. Saturday, 8 August afternoon looks the best of this second pulse: 4ft SSW swell, 15-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and energy at 583 (moderate). Expect very good surf conditions. Sunday, 9 August, has glassy 3ft waves in the morning – a real treat for a clean, smaller session.

The final week from 10 August shows a drop again, with tiny 2-3ft swell and onshore winds on some mornings, so the window is closing.

So, the best on offer is Tuesday, 28 July morning for the big 10ft, long-period groundswell – but only for experts. For a more manageable session, Thursday, 30 July is clean, solid, and still punchy. Into the second week, Saturday, 8 August afternoon and Sunday, 9 August morning are the promising calls, though less certain that far out.

The Rock-Costa Azul is a reef break, so it handles the long-period groundswell better than a beach break would, but that 10ft session is going to be raw. If you’re not an expert, it’s a no-go.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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