Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a two-week window ahead for Zippers-Costa Azul, and it’s a real mixed bag. The water temp is sitting at 89°F and it’s 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s way above average – you’ll be in a shorty for sure, but it’s noticeably warm.

The first week is pretty quiet. The first decent chance comes Thursday afternoon, the 20th of August. We’ve got a 3ft SSW swell rolling in with a 13-second period, and the wind goes clean cross-offshore from the WSW. The combined energy is moderate (391), and it’ll be clean. That’s your best bet early on.

Friday, the 21st, is similar: a clean cross-offshore in the afternoon with 2ft SSW swell and 13 seconds. The energy is moderate (299). It’s not big, but it’s rideable.

The next standout lands on the 24th of August, Monday afternoon. The swell pushes up a bit to 3ft from the SW with a long 17-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and combined it’s moderate (672). The wind is cross-offshore from the west, so it’s clean. There’s a risk of thunderstorms, but the surf should be good.

We’ve got another clean window on the 25th of August, Tuesday afternoon. It’s 2ft SW swell with a 16-second period, cross-offshore wind, and the combined energy is moderate (452). It’s not huge, but it’s got rhythm.

The real standout, though, is the weekend of the 28th and 29th of August. Friday morning the 28th sees a 4ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and a combined energy of 1071 – that’s strong. The wind is light from the SE, but it’s onshore. The afternoon is better: 5ft SSW swell, 17-second period, cross-shore wind from the SW, and a massive energy of 1430. This is the biggest, most powerful swell of the run. Saturday the 29th holds a 6ft SSW swell, 16-second period, combined energy of 1452. The wind is cross-offshore from the WSW by the afternoon, so it’ll be clean. This is the pick of the fortnight – it’s big, it’s long-period, and it’s clean. For the experts, that is.

After that, the energy drops off and the wind goes ugly. From the 30th of August through to the 3rd of September, it’s a write-off. The wind is onshore and strong, with gusts up to 34 mph, and the swell is short-period and messy. The 3rd of September sees an 8ft S swell, but it’s short-period (10–11 seconds) and the wind is howling onshore. That’s kite-surf or foil territory, not paddle.

So, bottom line: the best on offer is the 28th and 29th of August. That’s the one to circle. The first week is small but clean in patches. The second week is a no-go.

Rusty.

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