Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, grab a coffee and listen up. The next couple of weeks at Zippers-Costa Azul are a real mixed bag. We’ve got clean conditions and some solid pulses of southerly groundswell, but the timing is everything. The water is sitting at a balmy 87°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’re in for a warm one.

First up, we kick off on Wednesday the 5th with nothing doing. The swell is weak at 2ft and the wind is all wrong – a light cross-onshore breeze and poor conditions. It’s a write-off. Thursday morning the 6th is more of the same, a no-go. But hold on, Thursday afternoon things finally start to stir. The swell bumps up to 2ft from the SSW with a super long 18-second period, and the wind turns light cross-offshore. The wave energy is moderate (466), and the comment says “expect good surf conditions,” so you might get a few clean runners if you’re patient.

Friday the 7th is where we start to see a pulse. Morning is iffy with onshore wind, but Friday afternoon is promising. We’ve got 3ft of SSW groundswell, a solid 17-second interval, and clean cross-offshore wind. The energy jumps to 577 (moderate), and it’s flagged as “very good.” Now we’re talking.

Saturday the 8th is a bit of a letdown – the swell hits 4ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s messy. Saturday afternoon cleans up but the swell drops back. Sunday the 9th is a scratch with cross-onshore wind and choppy conditions. Monday the 10th is no better with a risk of thunderstorms and a weird combo of swell.

The best bet in the first week? Without a doubt, Friday afternoon, August 7th. That 3ft of SSW groundswell with a long 17-second period and clean cross-offshore wind is the standout. The break is a consistent intermediate spot, and with that long-period groundswell, the point and reef sections at Zippers should really link up. Crowds are often here, so it won’t be empty, but the quality should be worth it.

Now, looking out further: Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th show a real jump in size. Thursday afternoon the 13th is interesting – 3ft but a massive 802 in energy, clean conditions, and a “very good” call. But the real heavy-hitter is Friday afternoon, August 14th. We’re looking at 5ft of SW swell with a 17-second period, clean cross-offshore wind, and a combined energy of 1210. That’s strong wave energy. It’s marked as “excellent for experienced surfers.” This is a big, powerful groundswell, and at Zippers, it’ll be a proper reef-and-point setup. This is expert territory – the long period means the wave will be well-shaped but powerful. If you’re not comfortable with overhead, punchy waves, sit this one out.

Saturday the 15th holds at 4ft but with cross-on wind, so it’s messier. The very end of the window, on Monday the 17th, is a hidden gem. Morning and afternoon both show 3ft of SSW swell with glassy conditions and a “very good” call. That’s a morning session to circle if you want clean, user-friendly surf.

There’s a gap of about two days (August 9th to 11th) where there’s nothing really worth paddling out for. Don’t bother. But overall, it’s not a blank run here – Zippers is fairly consistent and the forecasts can always shift for the better. Keep an eye on that Friday the 14th, but don’t sleep on Friday the 7th or Monday the 17th.

Rusty.

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