Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the table for Zippers-Costa Azul over the next couple of weeks.

We've got a solid run of south swell heading our way, but it's a mixed bag with the wind. The water is sitting pretty much average for this time of year, so no dramatic temperature shifts to worry about.

The first real action kicks off Saturday the 25th. We're looking at a 4 ft SSW swell rolling in, but it's a bit of a tease. The wind is light cross-on, so it's not going to be glassy. The combined energy is pumping at a strong 1419, but the onshore tickle will keep it a bit lumpy. It's surfable, but not the day to call in sick for.

Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th are much the same story: consistent 5 ft SSW swell, but the morning winds are cross-shore, making it choppy. The afternoons clean up nicely with a cross-off breeze, and the energy stays strong (1506 to 2976), so you'll get some decent ones if you can wait out the morning crud.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Tuesday the 28th afternoon, the swell bumps up to 10 ft from the SSW with a combined energy of 5892 – that's serious power. The period is 16 seconds, a proper groundswell. But the wind is cross-shore, creating a chop. This is expert territory only; 10 ft is for the crew with the skills. Wednesday the 29th holds that same 10 ft swell, and the morning has lighter cross-shore winds, which is a bit better. The afternoon gets clean with a cross-off, but the wind is picking up to 15 mph.

Thursday the 30th is the standout. The morning brings a 6 ft SW swell, but the wind is light cross-off from the west at 6 mph. The wave comment even calls it "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." The energy is still a solid 1709. This is the window. The swell is a bit long in the tooth at 12 seconds, but at Zippers, a reef and beach setup, that should still be fun. Get out there early.

After that, the swell fades fast. Friday the 31st drops to 4 ft, and by Saturday the 1st of August, we're down to 3 ft. The energy drops off a cliff to 520. Sunday the 2nd is a write-off – 2 ft and a score of 0.

From Monday the 3rd of August right through to the end of the forecast on the 9th, we're in a long, flat spell. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 ft, with weak energy. There are a few glassy mornings on the 4th, but the waves are just 1 ft. It's a big gap of poor to no surf until the 9th, when we see a tiny 3 ft SSW swell trying to build again, but it's onshore and weak.

So, the call is clear: Thursday morning, the 30th of July, is your best bet at Zippers. That 6 ft SW swell with the light offshore wind is the cleanest window we've got in this whole run. The big 10 ft days on the 28th and 29th are for the brave, but the wind keeps them from being perfect.

Rusty, signing off.

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