Ribanceira Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, gather round. Rusty here. Let’s talk about Ribanceira. This stretch is a sheltered sandbar setup, and it’s got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks, but there are a few sessions worth marking on the calendar.

The first bit of real hope shows up Monday afternoon, the 6th of July. After a pretty grotty morning with messy cross-onshore wind and poor condition, the afternoon cleans right up. We’re looking at 4ft surf, coming from the SE with a 10-second period. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore breeze, and the water is sitting at 60°F. That’s a whopping 6°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a thick suit. The wave energy is moderate (465), and it’ll be clean as a whistle.

Tuesday the 7th kicks off with a proper offshore breeze in the morning from the SSW. Swell is 5ft from the S, but a short 8-second period means it’s a bit weak and choppy — still clean, but the shape won’t be world-class. The afternoon goes cross-shore and gets a bit ordinary.

Now, Wednesday the 8th is a glassy morning special. Wind is dead calm, glassy conditions, with 3ft from the ESE. It’s not going to spin your head around, but for a quiet session on a sandbar, it’ll be smooth and easy. The energy is moderate (347).

The real standout, though, is Sunday the 12th of July. Don’t sleep on this one. The morning brings a strong 5ft S swell, with a solid 12-second period. The wind is offshore from the SSW, and the combined energy is pumping hard at 1402 — that’s strong to very strong. This is the best on offer. It’s going to be powerful, clean, and long-period groundswell, which will hold up nicely on a sandbar but might be a bit straight for a beach break. This one’s for the intermediate crew; anything over 5ft can be intimidating for beginners.

Monday the 13th is also clean and decent: 5ft from the SSE with offshore winds and moderate energy (895). Solid utility surf.

After that, the middle of the week drops off. Thursday the 16th has a glassy 3ft morning, but it’s ordinary. Friday the 17th is a write-off with onshore winds and tiny swell. Saturday the 18th is weak and small, with energy down to 60.

But wait — Monday the 20th of July brings another pulse. Long period swell (15 to 16 seconds) from the S, with 4ft to 5ft. The wind is offshore and cross-offshore, and the energy jumps back into strong territory (603 up to 977). It’s clean and powerful. This is the other standout in the second week. Promising, but less certain that far out.

Tuesday the 21st fades back to onshore winds and small surf, closing things out.

All in all, the best windows are Sunday the 12th and Monday the 20th. Get on it if you can. Keep an eye on the wind shifts — when that offshore blows, Ribanceira turns on.

Rusty.

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