
Surf Forecasts:
Ribanceira surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, S swell with 637 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ribanceira this week:
The surf forecast for Ribanceira over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ribanceira in the next 16 days are 1.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ribanceira over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer at Ribanceira over the next couple of weeks. The water is running a bit colder than normal, sitting at 62°F, so you'll want the thick rubber.
First up, we've got a quick hit of small but clean surf to kick things off. Tuesday morning the 15th has a light SSW breeze keeping it clean on some 3ft south swell with a period of 10 seconds. The wave energy is moderate (250). It's surfable, but honestly, it's very ordinary. It'll get you wet, but don't expect much. That afternoon sees the wind pick up a touch from the south.
Now, Wednesday morning the 16th is a real standout in this window, and it's the only one worth getting excited about. We've got glassy conditions with a 4ft south swell. The period is a punchy 8 seconds, and the energy is moderate (351). The wind is dead calm – glass – and that's a major positive. It'll be clean and fun for an intermediate. The swell is from the south, which isn't its absolute optimum (S is what it prefers), but on a sandbar like Ribanceira with that kind of glass, it'll be the best you'll see for a while. Just be aware the period is on the short side, so the waves will be a bit steeper and more sectiony.
From Wednesday afternoon, it all goes pear-shaped. Onshore winds kick in from the northeast and it stays pretty grim through to the end of the month. There's a long, flat gap with no recommendations from Thursday the 17th right through to late September. We're talking over a week of poor conditions as the wind stays onshore or messy and the swell drops away to nothing. You'll see a few pulses of swell come through, like on the 28th with a big 6ft south swell packing serious energy (1990), but it's accompanied by onshore rain and cross-onshore winds. That one is too big for beginners anyway and would be a wind-blown mess. On the 27th, we get a brief look at a clean offshore wind from the SW with chest-high waves, but again, the period is a very short 6 seconds, making it crumbly.
The only other slight tease is the morning of the 30th with a clean cross-offshore wind, but the swell is only 3ft. It's surfable, but nothing to write home about.
So, the honest truth: Wednesday morning the 16th is your one and only window for a decent, clean session. Get on it. After that, you're waiting until at least the very end of the month or into October for the pattern to shift. Forecasts can change, but right now, it's a long dry spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 12 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
133 | 220 | 206 | 257 | 535 | 167 | 396 | 296 | 186 | 142 | 83 | 40 | 29 | 51 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:14PM0.54m | 4:51AM0.55m | 4:42PM0.49m | 5:49AM0.48m | 12:12PM0.33m | 00:36AM0.22m | 6:58AM0.44m | 12:24PM0.37m | 6:45PM0.41m | 7:59AM0.40m | 12:36PM0.41m | 7:49PM0.39m | 12:21PM0.44m | 9:48PM0.40m | 11:55AM0.48m | 11:11PM0.47m | ||||
Low Tide | 9:14PM0.12m | 9:13AM0.24m | 9:14PM0.15m | 9:04AM0.28m | 12:19PM0.30m | 9:26PM0.18m | 9:08AM0.31m | 1:56PM0.33m | 9:50PM0.23m | 9:10AM0.34m | 4:09PM0.29m | 4:05AM0.17m | 4:45PM0.24m | 4:46AM0.11m | 5:16PM0.20m | |||||
— | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 7 | S 8 | E 7 | S 10 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 6 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
133 | 127 | 206 | 27 | 535 | 167 | 396 | 296 | 186 | 142 | 49 | 40 | 25 | 51 | 25 | 24 | 512 | 353 | 286 | 246 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 12 | S 10 | SSE 14 | E 7 | S 11 | ESE 11 | E 7 | E 10 | ESE 10 | S 9 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 8 | S 8 | — | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
80 | 220 | 128 | 67 | 28 | 116 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 83 | 30 | 29 | 3 | 1 | — | 19 | 16 | 15 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 8 | E 7 | SE 8 | ESE 12 | E 7 | ESE 11 | E 11 | ENE 7 | — | E 8 | E 11 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 |
33 | 53 | 39 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 9 | 4 | — | 23 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | — | — | S 9 | — | — | ENE 7 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — |
21 | — | — | 257 | — | — | 42 | 12 | 40 | 51 | 109 | 305 | 342 | 480 | 559 | 601 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Santa Catarina - Sul | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ribanceira Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ribanceira provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ribanceira can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ribanceira 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 (Ribanceira) 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 Ribanceira 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.
Ribanceira is 6 km (4 miles) from Imbituba. If you plan a holiday in Santa Catarina - Sul, look for hotels and other accommodation in Imbituba. Imbituba has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










