Zippers-Costa Azul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf ahead for the next few weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is not a classic run for Zippers-Costa Azul. The forecast is pretty average for the most part, with a lot of marginal conditions and a few days that are just a write-off. There’s a bit of a gap in quality, but we do have a couple of windows that’ll get you out there.

The water is cooking at 85° – that’s 7° warmer than usual, so it’s very unusual. You’ll be in boardshorts for sure.

We kick off on Tuesday, July 7th. The afternoon sees a solid 5ft SSW swell with a very long period of 18 seconds, and the combined energy is strong at 1533. The wind is a cross-off from the SW, so the waves will be clean. This is a good, long-period groundswell – perfect for a point or reef, and Zippers handles it well. It’s an intermediate zone, but the swell is just over 5ft, so it might be a bit much for beginners. If you’ve got some experience, this is the standout of the first week.

From Wednesday the 8th through to the morning of Sunday the 12th, the surf drops and the winds get messy. You’re looking at 4ft to 5ft swells, mostly cross-on or cross, with short to moderate periods. The combined energy drops into the moderate range (475 to 1104). The wave comment is "marginal" or "poor" – it’s not worth paddling out for. There’s a gap of a few days here where I wouldn’t bother.

Sunday morning, July 12th, shows a bit of light wind with a 4ft SSW swell, but it’s small and the energy is only 475. It’s not bad, but it’s not great.

The next real highlight comes on Monday afternoon, July 13th. The swell drops to 3ft SSW, but the wind turns clean and cross-off, and the forecast says "expect very good surf conditions." The combined energy is moderate at 507. It’s small, but it’ll be fun and clean for a longboard or a fish.

The week of July 14th to 17th is a mixed bag. A small 2ft SW swell rolls in with a very long 18-second period, but it’s tiny. Then on Wednesday afternoon, July 15th, the swell bumps up to 5ft from the SE, with a period of 12 seconds and moderate energy (1006). The wind is light and cross, so it’s a possible session. The real size comes back on Thursday afternoon, July 16th, with a 7ft SSE swell and strong energy (1525). That’s expert territory – over 8ft is the rule, and 7ft is getting big. The winds are light, but it’s a cross-shore, so it might be a bit lumpy. This is another standout for the experienced crew.

Friday, July 17th, stays big with 7ft to 7ft S swell, but the winds are cross-on and choppy. Not worth it.

Then we hit a rough patch. Saturday, July 18th, through Sunday, July 19th, is a write-off. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds up to 28 mph. The surf is disorganised and messy. Don’t even think about it.

Monday, July 20th, and Tuesday, July 21st, see the swell settle back to 3ft to 4ft SW. The wind gets light and cross-off on Tuesday afternoon, giving us clean conditions with moderate energy (473). It’s a small, clean session for the longboard.

The final day, Wednesday, July 22nd, is small at 3ft to 3ft SW, with a moderate cross-off breeze in the afternoon. Clean but tiny.

So, to wrap it up: your best bets are Tuesday afternoon, July 7th, for the biggest, cleanest swell of the period, and Thursday afternoon, July 16th, for the big stuff if you’re an expert. Monday afternoon, July 13th, is your pick for small, clean fun. The rest is mostly a struggle.

Rusty.

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