Surf Forecasts:
Zippers-Costa Azul surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zippers-Costa Azul this week:
The surf forecast for Zippers-Costa Azul over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zippers-Costa Azul in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (MST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zippers-Costa Azul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the Zippers-Costa Azul stretch for the next couple weeks. Straight up, it’s a bit of a slow start, but there are some hints of something real nice later on if you’re patient. We’ve got a solid week or more of small, average waves before a proper pulse shows up.
The first real chance at a wave kicks off Monday, August 17th in the afternoon. Zippers-Costa Azul picks up a 4ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period, which is proper groundswell energy (728) and it’s got that combo beach-and-reef setup. Water temp is way above normal at 89°F, a wild 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year—makes it feel like a bath. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the WSW at 16 mph, keeping things clean, but the score is average and the conditions are only marginal for surf. Not exactly a standout, just something to get wet on.
Tuesday, August 18th looks messy in the morning with a 3ft SSW swell and cross wind. The afternoon improves a bit: a light NNW breeze at 3 mph turns cross-off, and the 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second period bumps the energy to 593 (moderate). Clean face, but still not firing on all cylinders. Wednesday and Thursday stay small, with 3ft to 3ft SSW swells, mostly clean afternoons but nothing to get excited about. Friday, August 21st sees a drop to 2ft—honestly, that’s barely a ripple.
Heading into the weekend, August 22nd has a 3ft SSW swell with a solid 16-second period. Saturday afternoon is the first time I’d call it “good”: a glassy SSW wind at 3 mph, no bumps, and clean lines (466 energy). That’s a moment to sit out there alone with the sea. Sunday the 23rd gets chopped again, and the swell dips to 2ft before the next week rolls in with persistent 2ft to 3ft SSW and SW swells. Small, hopeful afternoons with clean cross-off winds, but really only for the committed.
Then we get a real spike. August 28th—Friday afternoon—that’s the one. A 5ft SSW swell with an 18-second period (very long period groundswell) and a combined energy reading of 1668 (strong). This is big, powerful water. The wind is a light cross-off from the WSW at 6 mph—glassy, clean, perfect. The zone will be handling that energy well on the reef sections, and for experienced surfers this is excellent. The 5ft is right at the edge for big beginners, but that period means long, waiting sets. So if you can paddle, this is the standout of the whole forecast. Saturday the 29th is still solid with 6ft SSW swells (1499 energy), but the wind turns cross-on and the conditions get a little bumpy.
By Sunday the 30th, the swell settles back to 5ft and gradually fades into the start of September. Tuesday, September 1st sees a 5ft S swell with a shorter 13-second period (1107 energy) and cross-on wind—marginal again. The Friday afternoon on the 28th is your one deep breath of proper surf.
Stay patient, it’ll come.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Mon afternoon, min 27°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 28°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
674 | 229 | 437 | 544 | 604 | 325 | 321 | 316 | 236 | 225 | 151 | 147 | 151 | 220 | 288 | 280 | 297 | 289 | 214 | 273 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:16PM1.10m | 11:22AM1.46m | 11:56PM0.92m | 11:45AM1.39m | 12:18PM1.32m | 2:45PM1.26m | 9:01AM1.15m | 4:50PM1.32m | 8:09AM1.17m | 5:48PM1.43m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 5:33PM0.61m | 4:33AM0.69m | 6:26PM0.68m | 4:17AM0.78m | 8:35PM0.73m | 11:51PM0.61m | 00:27AM0.49m | 11:39AM1.12m | 00:52AM0.37m | 12:16PM1.02m | 1:15AM0.28m | |||||||||
— | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 35 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 36 | 35 | 30 | 37 | 35 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 |
674 | 229 | 437 | 544 | 604 | 325 | 321 | 316 | 236 | 225 | 151 | 147 | 96 | 96 | 125 | 126 | 297 | 143 | 163 | 234 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSW 17 | WNW 7 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
27 | 190 | 15 | 38 | 15 | 44 | 24 | 68 | 74 | 74 | 69 | 69 | 151 | 220 | 288 | 280 | 124 | 289 | 201 | 273 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | S 9 | WNW 7 | S 9 | SSW 20 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WNW 4 | SW 18 | SW 17 | WNW 5 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
7 | 26 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 27 | 38 | 14 | 92 | 83 | 6 | 80 | 76 | 13 | 60 | 183 | 155 | 214 | 214 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | WNW 7 | — | W 7 | WNW 7 | — | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 5 | SW 3 | WNW 3 |
20 | 27 | — | 23 | 15 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 12 | — | 6 | 18 | — | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 0 | 332 | 0 | 0 | 426 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 1174 | 0 | 3 | 504 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 416 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Baja Sur | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Zippers-Costa Azul Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Zippers-Costa Azul provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Zippers-Costa Azul can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zippers-Costa Azul surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Zippers-Costa Azul) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Zippers-Costa Azul may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Zippers-Costa Azul is 14 km (9 miles) from Cabo San Lucas. If you plan a holiday in Baja Sur, look for hotels and other accommodation in Cabo San Lucas. Cabo San Lucas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











