Zicatela Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s size up the next couple weeks. We’ve got a nice run of surf starting now, with a solid SSW groundswell pushing in. The water’s sitting at 88°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you’ll be good in just boardshorts.

The break to watch is Zicatela. It’s an exposed beach break that loves SSW swell, and it’s fairly consistent. The first real action is Sunday, August 30th, with a 5ft SSW swell at 14 seconds under glassy morning conditions. The combined energy is 923 (moderate), and it’s dead calm—clean as glass. That’s your best window for the weekend. Monday morning, August 31st, keeps it going with 4ft SSW swell, 13 seconds, and glassy conditions, energy at 626. The mornings are the call.

Tuesday morning, September 1st, drops to 3ft but still glassy with a west wind, energy at 532. Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is a standout: 4ft, glassy NE wind, and energy jumps to 951 (moderate-to-strong). That’s a top session. Thursday morning, September 3rd, is another good one with 3ft at 15 seconds and a glassy WNW wind, energy at 696.

Friday morning, September 4th, gets bigger with 6ft SW swell at 17 seconds—that’s a long-period groundswell, which at a beach break can get a bit straight and walled. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but the energy is pumping at 1929 (strong). This one is for experienced surfers only; the size is pushing into expert territory.

Saturday morning, September 5th, is back to clean: 6ft SSW at 16 seconds with glassy conditions and energy at 1548 (strong). That’s a top-tier morning for bigger-wave surfers. Sunday morning, September 6th, is also excellent: 5ft SW at 15 seconds, glassy, energy at 1000 (moderate). Monday morning, September 7th, is 4ft, dead calm, glassy, energy at 728.

The second week sees a gradual drop but still fun. Tuesday morning, September 8th, is 3ft and glassy. Wednesday morning, September 9th, gets a 3ft SW at 16 seconds with a clean cross-offshore wind, energy at 834. Then Thursday morning, September 10th, is a standout: 5ft SW at 16 seconds, dead calm, glassy, and energy at 1335 (strong). That’s a solid morning for experienced surfers again.

The rest of the second week mornings are smaller, glassy, and in the 2ft to 3ft range, with the last notable morning being Monday, September 14th, with 2ft at 18 seconds (very long period) and calm winds. That’s a small but clean groundswell for logs or longboards, energy at 433.

A heads-up: Zicatela can get crowded sometimes, so early mornings are your best bet, especially on the bigger days. The afternoons are mostly a bust with onshore winds and storm risk—skip ’em.

The best sessions are the mornings of Wednesday, September 2nd, and Saturday, September 5th. First one is a clean, glassy 4ft with high energy, the second is a bigger, glassy 6ft for the experienced crew. Get after it.

Rusty.

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