Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are all about Zippers-Costa Azul (Costa Azul). This is a beach and reef set-up that loves a good S swell, and we’ve got a little pulse coming through. It’s not going to be a barnstormer right away, but there’s some real promise on the horizon.

The water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the steamer just yet.

The week starts this Wednesday morning, 19th August, with a small 3 ft SSW swell pushing in at 14 seconds. The energy is moderate (369), but the wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’s a bit messy. Not the best, but it’s a start. That afternoon, the wind swings to a cross-off from the WSW at 9 mph, cleaning things up nicely for a little session. Swell stays the same size.

Thursday the 20th is a bit of a write-off – small 3 ft SSW swell, with onshore wind in the morning and a cross-shore in the afternoon. The energy drops (290-391). It’s marginal.

Friday the 21st sees the swell dip to 2-3 ft, but the afternoon again offers a clean window with that cross-off wind. Worth a look if you’re desperate.

Saturday the 22nd is a no-go. The morning has a long-period 16-second SSW swell at 3 ft, but the wind is onshore and the energy is moderate (395). The afternoon brings a risk of thunderstorms and light cross-on wind. Not your day.

Sunday the 23rd is a tease. A 3 ft, 14-second SSW swell in the morning with moderate energy (605) but onshore wind. The afternoon has a 2 ft, 18-second groundswell – that’s a very long period, so it’s going to be fat and walled up at a beach break. The energy is moderate (606), but the wind is a gentle cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. Not great.

Monday the 24th is a step up. The morning has a 3 ft SW groundswell at 17 seconds with moderate energy (579), light cross-onshore wind. Not clean. But Monday afternoon, the wind cranks cross-off from the SW at 16 mph, cleaning up that same 3 ft SW groundswell. The energy jumps to moderate (634). It’s clean, but small.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday the 25th of August is a standout. The morning has 2 ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds, but the wind is glassy – a light NNW at 3 mph. The energy is moderate (392). The afternoon is even better: glassy conditions with a light SSW wind, 3 ft SW groundswell, and moderate energy (439). This is the kind of clean, small wave session that’s a joy.

Wednesday the 26th keeps the glassy theme in the morning – 2 ft SW groundswell, light easterly, glassy. Energy is moderate (255). The afternoon gets a light cross-onshore, so it’s a bit bumpy.

Thursday the 27th starts to build. The morning has a 3 ft SW groundswell at 14 seconds with moderate energy (565), light cross-onshore. But Thursday afternoon brings a 4 ft SW groundswell at 17 seconds with moderate energy (761) and clean cross-off wind. This is a very good window.

The absolute best of the whole forecast period is Friday the 28th of August. The afternoon is a dead set classic: 5 ft SW groundswell at 17 seconds with very strong energy (1283), and glassy conditions – zero wind. This is for experienced surfers, as the size is pushing into the 5 ft mark. The morning is also solid with the same swell, but a light cross-onshore wind.

Saturday the 29th keeps the quality going. The afternoon has a 5 ft SSW swell at 15 seconds with very strong energy (1160) and clean cross-off wind. Another excellent window for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 30th is a wrap-up with glassy morning conditions, 4 ft SSW groundswell, and clean afternoon cross-off winds. Still very good.

Monday the 31st drops back to 3 ft, and Tuesday the 1st of September sees a shift to a short-period SSE windswell (10 seconds) – energy is moderate (675) but it’s onshore and choppy. Not recommended.

Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd of September are blown out with onshore winds and poor conditions. The swell is there, but the wind kills it.

The best bet is Friday the 28th of August afternoon – glassy, 5 ft SW groundswell, heavy energy. Get it while it’s clean.

Rusty.

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