Zicatela Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and let me tell you, Zicatela’s looking like a proper run of solid groundswell over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a bit of a slow burn, but once it kicks in, this is a stretch for experienced surfers who know what they’re doing. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there.

We start off Thursday, the 23rd of July, with glassy, clean conditions. The swell is small at 2ft, coming from the SW with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (221). It’s surfable but not much to write home about. Friday the 24th sees a step up: morning glass with 3ft SW swell, 24-second period, and energy jumping to 954 (moderate). That’s a nice, long-period groundswell starting to build, and with calm winds, it’ll be clean.

Saturday the 25th is where it gets interesting. The morning is glassy, with 3ft SSW swell, 21-second period, and energy up to 1039 (moderate). The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers, but the swell is still manageable. By Sunday the 26th, the morning glass is on with 5ft SW swell, 18-second period, and energy of 1536 (strong). That’s a solid wave, and the offshore breeze will keep it clean. This is a standout for the week.

Monday the 27th continues the run: morning glass, 6ft SW swell, 18-second period, and energy of 2128 (strong). That’s a powerful, long-period groundswell, and at 6ft, it’s getting into expert territory. The wind is light, so it’ll be well-shaped, but be aware that long-period swells like this can break a bit straight at a beach break like Zicatela, so it’s best for the experienced crew.

Tuesday the 28th is the peak for the first week. The morning is calm and glassy, with 7ft SW swell, 17-second period, and energy of 2569 (strong). That’s a serious wave. Over 8ft, and this is for experts only. If you’re not confident, give it a miss. The wind is offshore, so it’ll be clean, but that size demands respect.

The second week settles down a bit. Wednesday the 29th is still solid with 6ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and energy of 1800 (strong) in the morning glass. Thursday the 30th drops to 5ft, 14-second period, energy 882 (moderate), still clean. Friday the 31st is 4ft, 13-second period, energy 673 (moderate) with morning glass. Saturday the 1st of August is small at 3ft, 13-second period, energy 434 (moderate), but glassy. By Sunday the 2nd, the swell is fading to 3ft, 12-second period, energy 334 (moderate), still clean. There’s a gap in quality after that with smaller, more ordinary surf through to Wednesday the 5th, where a 3ft, 8-second period short-period windswell pops up but with a risk of t-storms. Then Thursday the 6th brings a 2ft, 19-second period groundswell (energy 343, moderate) in the morning glass, and Friday the 7th finishes with 2ft, 18-second period (energy 533, moderate) and calm winds.

The best on offer is Tuesday the 28th morning for the sheer power, and Sunday the 26th morning for the clean, solid size. These are the standouts. Zicatela can get crowded sometimes, so expect company.

Rusty.

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