Zicatela Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it. We've got a solid run of surf coming up at the main event, and a couple of standout windows that are gonna have you frothing.

The overall pattern is a long, consistent pulse of SSW groundswell. The water temp is sitting at 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—you'll be surfing in boardies for sure.

The real party kicks off this Friday, July 3rd, with clean, glassy 3.6ft SSW swell first thing in the morning. It's got that lovely 14-second period, meaning proper energy and good shape. Wave energy is moderate at 709, so nothing too frantic, but the morning session at Zicatela is going to be absolutely pristine. This is a standout for me because the wind is dead calm, giving you silky, clean walls. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, but early doors you should be sweet.

The next absolute gem is Sunday morning, July 5th. We see the swell bump up to 4.3ft from the SSW, but the period stretches out to a juicy 17 seconds. That’s long-period groundswell, and with 1247 in combined energy, you’re getting a lot of push. The morning is glass again, making for exceptional conditions for experienced surfers. This is hands down the best on offer.

Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th keep the good times rolling. Monday morning is another glassy 4.3ft SSW swell with 16-second period and even more energy at 1488. Tuesday morning hits a solid 4.9ft with an 18-second period and a massive 1859 in the energy bank. Again, glassy conditions. This is top-tier stuff for those who can handle it.

The afternoons do get a bit dicey with sea breezes and the chance of storms, so mornings are your golden ticket. This pattern holds through the first week and into the second, with clean morning sessions continuing right through to Monday, July 13th. You'll see the swell dip slightly to 3.3-3.9ft, but the wind stays light and often glassy, keeping the quality high. The energy stays in the moderate range.

There is a short, quiet patch around the 14th to the 16th of July with smaller surf, dropping to 2.6ft and then 1.6ft. Still clean in the mornings, but you'll be on a log or a funboard.

Then, hold onto your boards. On Saturday morning, July 18th, things get wild. We see a sudden shift to a 7.2ft ESE swell with a short 9-second period. This is a different beast—a wind swell. The combined energy jumps to 1352, so there's plenty of power, but that short period means it'll be a bit bumpy and less predictable. This is big enough to be expert-only territory. The morning is glassy, so it could offer some heavy, lined-up walls for the brave, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The afternoon adds a cross-onshore breeze, making it messy.

To sum it up: lock in the mornings from Friday, July 3rd through Monday, July 13th for the best clean, consistent SSW groundswell. Sunday morning, July 5th, and Tuesday morning, July 7th, are the true standouts. The 18th of July is a wild card for experts only.

Stay salty.

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