Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’m lookin’ at the charts for the Costa Azul area, and I’ll be straight with ya – it’s a bit of a slow burn for the first few days, but there’s some real gems waiting if you’re patient. The first standout is gonna be Monday morning, July 20th, at Zippers. That’s the call.

Right now, Saturday morning is a no-go – onshore wind and just 4 ft of messy swell, combined energy’s weak at 484. Saturday afternoon ain’t much better, 5 ft but still onshore and a marginal call. Sunday is a write-off too, with poor conditions and a long period swell that’s just gonna close out on the beach.

But then Monday morning, July 20th, the wind swings around to a light cross-offshore out of the NNE, and the swell cleans up. You’ve got a 3 ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period. That period is long enough to really juice up the waves, especially at a reef-point setup like Zippers. The combined energy is moderate-high at 857, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” The wind is gentle, so the surface will be clean. This is your best bet for the early window.

The swell builds through the week. Wednesday afternoon, July 22nd, sees 7 ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, cross-off wind, and clean surf. Combined energy is 1437 – moderate energy. That’s solid for an intermediate surfer. Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, is a real standout – the wind goes glassy, and you’ve got 6 ft of SW swell at 13 seconds. The forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and the energy is 1310. That’s a session you’ll be telling your mates about.

Friday afternoon, July 24th, dishes up 4 ft SW swell with a *very long* 21-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1787, but that long period might make it a bit tricky at the beach – it’ll be better at Zippers, where the reef can handle that energy. Light offshore wind, clean. That’s a high-quality wave, but the sets will be spaced out.

Saturday afternoon, July 25th, is another big one – 5 ft SW swell, 19-second period, cross-off wind, and the combined energy is 2407 – solid moderate energy. Sunday morning, July 26th, has 5 ft SW at 18 seconds and light onshore wind, but it’s clean enough.

Now, after that run, things get messy. Monday through Wednesday, July 27th to 29th, the wind turns onshore and choppy, and the swell stays around 4 to 6 ft but the quality drops off a cliff. By the 30th and 31st, it’s a mix of poor and marginal, with a lot of wind.

There’s a little flicker of hope on Saturday, August 1st, afternoon – glassy conditions and 2 ft of SW swell at 14 seconds. That’s tiny but clean, good for a longboard. Then Sunday morning, August 2nd, the charts show a big pulse: 12 ft of SSE swell at 13 seconds. That’s heavy, combined energy is 4436 – strong. That’s expert-only territory at Zippers, and the wind is light onshore, so it might be a bit lumpy. Still, worth keeping an eye on if you’re a big-wave charger.

So, Monday morning the 20th is your best early call for clean, fun surf. Thursday afternoon the 23rd is the real standout for quality. Long-range, the big swell on August 2nd is one to watch, but it’s a long way out and the forecast could change.

The water temp is about average for the time of year, no real anomaly to speak of for Zippers.

The first few days are a bit of a bust, but once that Monday hits, you’re in for a good week. Stay patient.

Rusty.

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