Ranches Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cooking.

Right off the bat, the first week is pretty bleak. We've got tiny waves with weak energy for most of the opening days. The only real action starts to show from August 8th onwards, when things finally start looking up.

For the very beginning, Saturday the 1st, the morning is flat with a tiny 0.7ft northerly bump. The afternoon bumps up to a meagre 4ft from the NE but with only a 7 second period, it's gonna be weak and messy. The combined swell energy is a low 174, so not much punch. The wind is a steady 16 mph offshore from the ENE, which would normally be great, but with waves that small, it’s hard to get excited.

Through Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd, we see similar small stuff. Monday afternoon offers 3ft from the NE with a short 6 second period. The energy is a very weak 62. It’s surfable but ordinary.

The water temp hangs around 80°F, which is about average for the time of year, so no wetsuit needed.

Tuesday the 4th afternoon brings a bit of a curveball. We get a glassy 2ft wave from the NE, but with an 11 second period. That long period swell (114 combined energy) suggests better shape, but it's still small and inconsistent.

From August 8th, things improve. The wind stays offshore from the ENE, and we start seeing "expect good surf conditions" popping up. The standout window is definitely from the 13th to the 16th of August.

The Best on Offer: Ranches itself is the highlight. This exposed reef break is for advanced surfers only. The standout days are the 14th and 15th of August. We get a consistent 3ft groundswell from the west with a very long 16 second period on the 14th, and a 15 second period on the 15th. The combined energy is strong at 389 and 287 respectively. This long-period swell will wrap in nicely here. The wind is a clean offshore from the ENE, making for some absolutely pristine conditions. It's a fairly consistent spot, but be aware that crowds are possible here.

The 13th of August morning is also a solid pick with 2ft from the west at 12 seconds and a 209 combined energy, with a light offshore breeze. The whole run from the 13th morning through the 16th afternoon looks like the best stretch of clean, quality reef waves, all with offshore winds. On the 16th, the swell drops to a 3ft WNW with a 14 second period and energy of 280, still very clean.

So, for the second week, from the 13th to the 16th, it’s game on at the Ranches. Offshore winds, long period west swell, and clean, groomed conditions. It’s an expert break, so leave the beginners at home.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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