The Rock-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Let's talk surf, The Rock-Costa Azul. It's a reef break that's consistent, and the start of the run is looking clean and inviting. Water's hanging around 89°F, which is a solid three and a half degrees warmer than the usual for this time of year—that's a big deal, so you can probably leave the full suit at home.

Tuesday afternoon kicks things off with some clouds, but glassy conditions. We're looking at 2ft of SW swell with a 16-second period. It's a bit small, but that long-period groundswell is going to wrap into the reef with proper shape. The combined energy is moderate at 547, and with the wind absolutely calm, it's going to be clean as a mirror. This is a standout for the start of the window—get on it.

Wednesday morning gets a little cross-on with 3ft, but the afternoon cleans back up to glassy with 3ft of SW swell at 11 seconds. Shorter period means less push, but still surfable. Thursday morning is the pick though: glassy, 3ft of SW swell at 14 seconds, and a combined energy of 580. That's another standout—clean, lined up, and the reef will be working.

Friday brings a step up in size—4ft to 5ft—but the wind starts to get in the way. The morning has a cross-shore chop that’s not helping, though the afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze. Still, it’s marginal. Saturday morning is onshore and junky, but Saturday afternoon turns it around: 5ft of SSW swell at 15 seconds, clean cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 1226. That’s a proper session for experienced surfers. This is your best bet for the weekend.

Sunday's a letdown. Morning has some size at 5ft but cross-on wind and ripples. Afternoon gets blown out with 25 km/h cross-off winds. The swell starts to fade into the start of next week, with Monday afternoon offering a clean 4ft with offshore wind, but the energy is dropping. By Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s small—2ft to 3ft—mostly clean but weak. Still, Wednesday afternoon has that 17-second period, so there’s a bit of quality in the smallness if you’re keen.

Then things get real. From the 4th of September, a stormy pattern moves in, and the Rock turns into a mess. Onshore winds, rain, and even thunderstorm risk through the 6th. Not fun. The swell picks up again on the 7th—7ft to 8ft of S swell—but it’s cross-off and still pretty junky.

The 8th and 9th of September are the big one. Swell jumps to 10ft, then 13ft, then 12ft. That’s way too big for this reef, and the files are saying it’s simply too big for the break. The energy readings are insane—5303, 7785, 6803—that’s some serious water moving, but unless you’re a true gun rider with a death wish, stay off. This is expert-level only, and even then, it’s sketchy.

So, the real takeaways: Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon this week are your clean, quality sessions. Monday afternoon is a decent runner-up. After that, it’s a waiting game, and the second week is a mix of stormy junk and then a giant cleanup that’s too much for this spot. Keep the 8th and 9th of September in mind—but for watching, not paddling out.

Signing off, Rusty.

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