Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks at Zippers-Costa Azul. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but you gotta pick your moments.

The real story starts this weekend. We’ve got a nice pulse of long-period SSW groundswell rolling in, and the wind is going to play ball. The water is a toasty 88°, which is a solid 5° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so you’re in for a tropical bath.

Friday (4th) is a bit of a write-off. The swell is building, but the wind is messy and onshore, with a combined energy of 2369. That’s strong wave energy, but it’s just not clean. Skip it.

Saturday (5th) is where it starts to get interesting. The morning is still a bit bumpy, but the afternoon is the real deal. The swell drops to 5 ft from the SSW, but the wind swings cross-offshore and the waves clean right up. The energy is still high (1350), and with that 15-second period, you’re getting proper groundswell lines. This is a solid session for experienced surfers.

Sunday (6th) is the standout of the week. The swell holds at 4 ft from the SSW, but the morning is *glass* – perfect, flat calm conditions. The energy is moderate (1180), and with a 15-second period, these waves will have real push and shape. The afternoon picks up a nice offshore breeze from the NW. This is the best clean, lined-up surf you’ll see all week. Crowds are likely at Zippers, but for conditions this good, it’s worth the company.

After Sunday, the swell drops off and the winds get a bit tricky. Monday through to the end of the first week is a mix of small, choppy waves and cross-onshore winds. Not worth paddling out for.

We then hit a real lull from about the 10th to the 12th. The swell drops to under 3 ft, and while some mornings are glassy, the energy is weak (under 500). These are tiny, clean waves for a longboard or a cruise, but nothing to get excited about.

Fast forward to Thursday, 17th September. The swell direction stays SSW, but the period jumps to 22 seconds! That’s an incredibly long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (454), but the size is only 2 ft. The afternoon of the 17th and the 18th look promising, with clean cross-off winds and a building swell up to 3 ft. The energy ramps up to 680 by the 18th afternoon. This is a real long-range promise, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it.

Then, Saturday, 19th September finishes the run nicely. The swell is 3 ft from the SSW, period 18 seconds, and glassy conditions in the afternoon with energy at 722. That’s a great way to end the outlook if the long-range holds.

For the true standout, Sunday morning (6th) is the pick. Clean, glassy, 4 ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period. If you can only get one session, that’s the one.

Rusty.

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