The Rock-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a slow burner on our hands for the next couple of weeks. The first real surf worth paddling out for kicks off on Thursday, July 30th. The swell is moderate and the water is a bloody warm 86°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – you’ll be in boardies for sure.

The pick of the early action is The Rock-Costa Azul on Thursday afternoon. We’re looking at a clean 4ft SSW swell with a solid 14-second period, and the wind is a gentle offshore from the WNW. It’s going to be glassy and workable. The combined energy is moderate (716), so there’s enough push to get into some decent lines. This is a consistent reef break, but it’s an advanced wave, and crowds are often here, so you’ll have company. Don’t expect a big session, but it’s the best you’ll see for a few days.

Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are pretty ordinary. The swell drops to 3ft or less, winds are mostly onshore or cross-off, and the scores are grim. It’s a bit of a write-off. Sunday the 2nd has a brief moment Sunday afternoon with a 2ft SW swell and offshore WNW wind at 15 mph, but it’s small and weak (236 energy). Not worth rushing for.

From Monday the 3rd through to Thursday the 6th, the swell stays tiny – under 2ft – and the energy is weak (values between 129 and 323). The wind is messy for most of it. There’s a decent pulse on Thursday afternoon, August 6th, with a 2ft SSW swell but a very long 18-second period. That’s a groundswell, and it’s best suited to a reef like this one, but the size is too small to get excited about. The water temp anomaly isn’t given for the later days, but that initial warmth is a memory.

The standout window is the second week. From Friday the 7th of August, the swell picks up and holds. Friday morning shows a 3ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, pumped up to moderate energy (618). The wind is a light cross-onshore, but it’s still rideable. The real gem is on Tuesday, August 11th, afternoon. We’ve got a 4ft SW swell with an 18-second period, cross-off WSW wind at 9 mph, and very good conditions. The combined energy is strong (848). For a reef break, that long period means long, lined-up waves – perfect for the advanced crew. Crowds are often, but it’s worth it.

Then Wednesday, August 12th, afternoon is another cracker. Same 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, light cross-off from the W, and very good conditions. Energy is 740. And Thursday morning, August 13th, is glassy with a 4ft SW swell and 16-second period – that’s a rare treat. For a couple of days there, it’s the best run of the whole forecast.

After that, from Friday the 14th, it fades back to smaller, weaker surf. The 16-day window has a gap of poor surf from the 3rd to the 6th, then a solid week of action from the 7th to the 13th, with the 11th, 12th, and 13th being the true standouts. Keep your eyes on the long-range – it’s promising.

Rusty.

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