The Rock-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for The Rock-Costa Azul. This is a reef break that’s consistent and exposed, with an optimum swell from the south. The forecast kicks off with some small, workable swell but nothing to write home about for a few days.

Thursday the 20th starts off tiny with a 3ft swell from the SSW at a long 14 seconds, but the wind is onshore in the morning and the combined swell energy is only 290 (weak). The afternoon cleans up into a cross-off breeze, but it’s still marginal. Friday the 21st is where we see a bit of hope – the morning goes glassy, with a 2ft SSW swell and 179 energy (weak). That’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon gets a 2ft SSW swell and clean conditions, with a 2 out of 10 score. It’s not pumping, but it’s the best of the first couple of days. Water temperature is about average for this time of year.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see the swell nudge up a little, with energy climbing into the moderate range (384 to 647). The period drops to 14 to 16 seconds, so there’s still some long-period groundswell in the mix, but the winds are cross or cross-off, keeping things reasonably clean. The waves are still under 3ft, and scores stay low – 1 or 2 out of 10. It’s marginal but a surfer could get a few fun ones if they’re picky.

Monday the 24th afternoon the energy pushes up to 718 (moderate), with a 3ft SW swell and clean cross-off wind. Still, the scores are only 2. Not a standout, but the consistency is there. Tuesday the 25th afternoon has a 2ft SW swell with clean cross-off wind and energy of 440. The morning is a risk of t-storms, so that afternoon window is the go. Wednesday the 26th afternoon goes glassy again, with a 2ft SW swell and 279 energy (weak). Scores are a 2, so again, small but clean.

The real standout is Friday the 28th. The morning starts with a solid 5ft SSW swell at a very long 18 seconds, and the energy jumps into the strong range at 1681. The wind is offshore early, so the morning session should have clean, lined-up sets. The afternoon is even better – same 5ft swell, cross-off wind, clean conditions, and a score of 4 out of 10 – that’s the best on offer. This is a reef break and that very long period will really make it stand up and draw some beautiful walls. It’s an advanced break, and with the size and power, this is for experienced surfers. Crowds are possible here often, so expect company.

Saturday the 29th holds onto the energy, with a 5ft SSW swell in the morning and 1370 energy (strong). The wind is onshore though, making it marginal. The afternoon still has 5ft swell but the wind goes cross, so the quality drops a little. Still a good chunk of swell. From Sunday the 30th onward, the swell slowly backs off, and the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, pushing the conditions into poor territory. The last few days into the first week of September show more storm risks and choppy seas. The swell picks up a bit on Thursday 3rd September with a 7ft SSW short-period swell (9 seconds) – that size is getting into expert-only territory at a reef, and the short period will make it dumpy and less appealing. The afternoon of that day drops to 6ft with cross-shore wind, but it’s marginal.

So, the best window is Friday the 28th through the morning of Saturday the 29th, with the peak on Friday afternoon. After that, it’s a slow decline into less clean conditions. The gap between Friday the 28th and the next marginal option on Thursday the 3rd of September is about 5 to 6 days of poor to marginal surf.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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