Zicatela Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, crew, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the Zicatela swell window for the next couple of weeks. The water temp is sitting right where it should be for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The big picture is a building swell, with some clean windows early, then a real standout stretch in the second week. There’s a bit of a lull in the middle where the wind messes things up, but after that, it’s on.

Wednesday the 26th starts with a tiny glassy morning, just 2 ft of long-period SW groundswell (16-second period) and 270 units of combined energy (weak). It’s clean, but too small. The arvo turns onshore, so forget it.

Thursday morning the 27th is glassy again with similar 2 ft swell, but the energy jumps to 441 (moderate) and the period stretches to 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell pulse, but still small. The arvo is marginal.

Friday morning the 28th – things start to hum. 3 ft of SSW swell, 16-second period, and 786 units of energy (moderate). Glassy conditions. The shape will be there, even if the size is still modest. Good morning to get a feel for the building trend.

The weekend brings a jump in size. Saturday morning the 29th sees 5 ft SW swell and 1553 units of energy (strong), but the wind is a light cross-shore, leaving it a bit lumpy. Saturday arvo is onshore, no good. Sunday morning the 30th is glassy with 5 ft SW swell (14-second period, 914 energy, moderate). Clean, fun morning, but the wind gets messy again by the arvo. Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st are a write-off – cross-onshore winds and dropping energy.

Then we hit a reset. Wednesday morning the 2nd of September is glassy, 3 ft SW swell, 16-second period, 711 energy (moderate). Clean, small, but it’s a sign of things to come. Thursday the 3rd morning is glassy again, 3 ft SW swell, 18-second period, 891 energy (moderate). That long period is beautiful.

Here’s the real standout. Friday the 4th of September morning. Glassy. 5 ft SW swell, 17-second period, and 1658 units of combined energy (strong). This is the pick of the whole forecast. That’s a proper groundswell, well-sized, with perfect offshore glass. The sets will be long and powerful. For experienced surfers, this is the session to circle. The arvo gets cross-onshore, so get it early.

Saturday the 5th morning has a risk of thunderstorms and a cross-offshore wind, with 6 ft SSW swell and 1537 energy (strong). It’s clean, but the storm risk is a factor. The arvo improves – glassy, 5 ft SSW swell, 15-second period, 1229 energy (strong). That arvo glass-off could be a ripper, too.

Sunday the 6th morning is glassy, 5 ft SSW swell, 14-second period, 861 energy (moderate). Clean and fun. Monday the 7th morning is clean with a cross-offshore breeze, 4 ft SSW swell, 14-second period, 638 energy (moderate). Good, but not a standout.

Tuesday the 8th morning is glassy, 4 ft SW swell, 18-second period, and 1525 energy (strong). Another excellent morning for experienced surfers – the period is very long, so expect smooth, powerful lines. Wednesday the 9th morning is glassy again, 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, 1510 energy (strong). Another top-tier morning. Thursday the 10th morning is glassy, 5 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a massive 2006 units of energy (very strong). That’s a serious amount of power. For experts only, but it’s going to be a proper session.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Friday morning the 4th of September – glassy, 5 ft SW groundswell with very long period, and strong energy. The second half of the first week through the second week has a lot of quality, but that Friday morning is the real standout. If you’re looking for a dawn patrol, that’s your target.

Rusty.

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