The Rock-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, and I’m looking at what we’ve got for the upcoming stretch – and honestly, it’s a mixed bag, but there are some moments that’ll get the blood pumping if you time it right.

The Rock-Costa Azul (Costa Azul) is our main stage for the whole period. The water is sitting at a balmy 82.4°, which is a solid 5.2° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s seriously unusual, so you can ditch the thick rubber.

We kick off Saturday, July 4th, with a small but promising start. Saturday morning is cross-on with a 3.0ft swell out of the SSW at 13 seconds, energy sitting at 482 – pretty weak stuff, and the report says marginal. But by Saturday afternoon, the wind shifts cross-off and the period jumps to 18 seconds, giving us a 3.0ft groundswell with clean conditions. Energy bumps to 771 – still moderate, but the shape should be decent for a cruisy session. Not a standout, but a solid warm-up.

Sunday, July 5th, the swell builds a touch to 4.3ft in the morning, but it’s onshore, and the report flags it as questionable. Sunday afternoon, a clean 3.6ft SSW swell at 16 seconds rolls in with cross-off wind – again, one of the more promising windows. Still, nothing to shout about yet.

Monday, July 6th, the energy starts to climb. Monday afternoon we’ve got a clean, 3.0ft swell at 20 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. Energy hits 1135, which is solid. The report calls it “excellent for experienced surfers.” That long period will push through the lineup with real authority, and at a reef like Costa Azul, those waves should set up nicely. This is a genuine highlight – best session of the first week, no doubt.

Tuesday, July 7th, the swell jumps to 4.9ft in the morning and 5.2ft in the afternoon, with a long 18-second period. Energy rockets to 1518 in the afternoon. That’s moderate-to-strong energy. But the morning has cross-shore wind and the afternoon report says “marginal” despite clean conditions – likely a tide issue. Worth a look for advanced surfers, but not as clean as Monday.

From Wednesday, July 8th through Saturday, July 11th, the swell slowly drops from 4.6ft to 3.6ft. Periods stay in the 14-16 second range. Energy fades from 1130 down to 678. Wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but the reports keep saying “marginal” – the waves will be there, but quality’s not special. These are average days.

Sunday, July 12th afternoon is a little blip – 3.6ft, 14 seconds, clean cross-off wind, and the report says “very good surf conditions.” Energy moderate at 611. Not a standout, but a decent session if you’re keen.

Then we hit a real quiet patch. From Monday, July 13th through Thursday, July 16th, the swell drops to 1.6-3.0ft. Periods are long (13-19 seconds), but the energy is weak – below 500 most of the time. The afternoon of July 16th has a clean 1.6ft, 19-second swell, but let’s be honest – that’s barely a ripple. The reports say “good” for that one, but you’d need a longboard and low expectations.

Now – here’s where it gets wild. Friday, July 17th morning, a pulse of 7.5ft out of the SSE at 12 seconds hits, with energy at 2451 – strong. But it’s onshore and the report says marginal. Then Friday afternoon – hold onto your board – a solid 13.1ft swell from the S at 14 seconds slams in, with energy at 5942. That’s very strong energy. The report says it’s too big for this break. That is pure expert territory, and even then, it’s pushing the limits. If you’re not a seasoned charger, stay well clear.

Saturday, July 18th, we get a massive storm front. Heavy rain, gale-force offshore winds at 40 mph from the WNW, and a short, messy 6.2ft SSE swell at 8 seconds. Energy is 912, but the wind is gale force – that’s unsurfable for paddle surfing. Best idea? Leave the board at home or maybe look at kite gear, but even that would be gnarly.

After that chaos, Sunday, July 19th, settles down with a clean 3.0ft SSW groundswell at 17 seconds, cross-off wind, and the report says “very good surf conditions.” Energy moderate at 637. A nice little recovery session to wrap things up.

Standouts? First and foremost, Monday July 6th afternoon – that clean, long-period

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