Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Zippers-Costa Azul.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but hold tight because there’s a proper pulse of energy kicking in towards the end of the first week and into the second. The best of the best is shaping up to be the 9th of September, but we’ve got some solid windows before that too.

Tuesday the 25th of August is where we kick things off. Zippers-Costa Azul is serving up clean, glassy conditions with a 2ft south-west swell rolling in at a very long 16 seconds. The water is a balmy 89°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – you’ll be in boardies for sure. The combined energy is sitting at 547, a solid moderate level. It’s a consistent spot, so expect some fun ones.

Wednesday the 26th sees a bit of a mixed bag. The morning has an onshore breeze making it messy, but the afternoon cleans right up. Glassy conditions again, with a 3ft south-west swell at 11 seconds. The energy is moderate at 399. It’s a good backup, but Tuesday afternoon is the smarter play.

Thursday the 27th is a bit frustrating. Clean in the morning but cross-onshore wind, and in the afternoon the wind shifts cross-offshore but the swell dips to 2ft. The energy is there at 578, but it’s just not coming together cleanly.

Friday the 28th sees the swell start to build. The morning is a write-off with choppy onshore wind, but the afternoon is the real deal. Clean conditions, 5ft south-west swell at a very long 17 seconds. Combined energy jumps to a strong 1479. That’s some proper push, but with that long period, it’ll be lining up nicely for the reef and rivermouth sections.

Saturday the 29th is another standout. Afternoon session is where it’s at: clean, cross-offshore breeze, 5ft south-south-west swell at 15 seconds, and excellent surf for experienced surfers. Energy is a strong 1226. This is a top pick for the first week.

Sunday the 30th is a one-session wonder. The morning has 5ft of south-south-west swell but that cross-onshore wind ruins the party. The afternoon is clean but the swell drops to 4ft and a howling 15 mph cross-offshore wind will make it tricky. Best left alone.

Monday the 31st through to Thursday the 3rd of September is a lull. Swell sits around 2ft to 5ft, mostly with cross-onshore winds and marginal conditions. Nothing to write home about.

Then from Friday the 4th of September, the weather turns ugly. Risk of thunderstorms, moderate rain, and onshore winds. Swell is there, up to 5ft, but the conditions are poor. Kite surfers might have a look, but for paddle surfing it’s a no-go through the weekend.

Now, here’s where it gets serious. Monday the 7th of September, the swell jumps to 7ft in the morning, building to 8ft in the afternoon from the south, period 13-14 seconds. Combined energy is massive at 2034 in the afternoon. This is big. Too big for beginners, and only for experienced surfers. The wind is cross-offshore and the waves are clean.

Tuesday the 8th of September is huge. 10ft in the morning and a massive 13ft in the afternoon, all south-south-west swell. Energy is off the charts at 7785. This is expert-only territory. If you know what you’re doing and you’ve got the bigger board, it’s a once-in-a-while kind of day.

And then, Wednesday the 9th of September. This is the one. Glassy conditions, 12ft south-west swell with a 14-second period. Exceptional surf for experts. Energy reading is 6803. The wind is virtually nothing, the swell is pumping, and the sets will be long, clean, and powerful. This is the standout of the whole forecast. If you can get out there, that’s the session to aim for. The afternoon stays clean but the period drops a little, still excellent though.

Crowds are often a factor at Zippers, so for the standout days, especially the 9th, expect company. But with that kind of quality, it’s worth it.

- Rusty

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