Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the Zippers-Costa Azul stretch for the next couple weeks. Straight up, it’s a bit of a slow start, but there are some hints of something real nice later on if you’re patient. We’ve got a solid week or more of small, average waves before a proper pulse shows up.

The first real chance at a wave kicks off Monday, August 17th in the afternoon. Zippers-Costa Azul picks up a 4ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period, which is proper groundswell energy (728) and it’s got that combo beach-and-reef setup. Water temp is way above normal at 89°F, a wild 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year—makes it feel like a bath. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the WSW at 16 mph, keeping things clean, but the score is average and the conditions are only marginal for surf. Not exactly a standout, just something to get wet on.

Tuesday, August 18th looks messy in the morning with a 3ft SSW swell and cross wind. The afternoon improves a bit: a light NNW breeze at 3 mph turns cross-off, and the 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second period bumps the energy to 593 (moderate). Clean face, but still not firing on all cylinders. Wednesday and Thursday stay small, with 3ft to 3ft SSW swells, mostly clean afternoons but nothing to get excited about. Friday, August 21st sees a drop to 2ft—honestly, that’s barely a ripple.

Heading into the weekend, August 22nd has a 3ft SSW swell with a solid 16-second period. Saturday afternoon is the first time I’d call it “good”: a glassy SSW wind at 3 mph, no bumps, and clean lines (466 energy). That’s a moment to sit out there alone with the sea. Sunday the 23rd gets chopped again, and the swell dips to 2ft before the next week rolls in with persistent 2ft to 3ft SSW and SW swells. Small, hopeful afternoons with clean cross-off winds, but really only for the committed.

Then we get a real spike. August 28th—Friday afternoon—that’s the one. A 5ft SSW swell with an 18-second period (very long period groundswell) and a combined energy reading of 1668 (strong). This is big, powerful water. The wind is a light cross-off from the WSW at 6 mph—glassy, clean, perfect. The zone will be handling that energy well on the reef sections, and for experienced surfers this is excellent. The 5ft is right at the edge for big beginners, but that period means long, waiting sets. So if you can paddle, this is the standout of the whole forecast. Saturday the 29th is still solid with 6ft SSW swells (1499 energy), but the wind turns cross-on and the conditions get a little bumpy.

By Sunday the 30th, the swell settles back to 5ft and gradually fades into the start of September. Tuesday, September 1st sees a 5ft S swell with a shorter 13-second period (1107 energy) and cross-on wind—marginal again. The Friday afternoon on the 28th is your one deep breath of proper surf.

Stay patient, it’ll come.
Rusty.

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