Surf Forecasts:
Ribanceira surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with 2,733 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ribanceira in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ribanceira over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your board and let’s get into it. It’s gonna be a bit of a slow burn for the next few days, but there’s some serious juice on the horizon if you’re willing to wait.
The water’s sitting at a comfortable 66°, which is right about normal for this time of year. We’re looking at a week of small, weak surf first. The energy in the water is pretty minimal, around 52 weak units, and it's just not gonna be worth paddling out for. Expect poor, choppy conditions through Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday afternoon things start to wake up a little, with some waist-high lines showing 4ft of south swell. It’s still pretty ordinary, but the offshore wind will have it looking clean. The energy is starting to build a touch, showing moderate readings around 159. It’s better than nothing, but don’t cancel any plans.
Now, here’s where it gets good. This coming Saturday is the first real standout. We’ve got a solid 6ft of south swell ramping up, and the energy is jumping into strong territory at 517. Early light offshore winds will have it looking clean. This is the moment the sandbar wakes up.
Saturday afternoon keeps the 6ft swell going with a clean cross-off breeze. By Sunday morning, we’re still in the 5ft range with light offshore winds and the energy is climbing to a strong 670. This is proper surf. The sandbar (Ribanceira) should be handling this swell well, especially with that consistent southwest groundswell.
But the real prize is Monday the 24th. The swell jumps to a hefty 8ft with a long-period groundswell of 13-14 seconds. The energy readings are massive, hitting 2507 and 2622, which is very strong. This is when the sandbar will be at its best for experienced surfers. Light winds early on Monday morning will make for some absolutely epic conditions. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The water might be a bit much for beginners at this size, but for the crew that knows what they're doing, this is going to be a session to remember.
After that peak, things get a little messier. Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be overshadowed by funky cross-onshore winds and a drop in quality. The swell will still be there, but it’s gonna be lumpy and less appealing.
By the end of the month, the energy fades, and we’re back to small, weak surf with some rain in the mix. It’s not looking great.
Then, look ahead to Tuesday, September 1st. There’s a promising sign with another 8ft pulse of south-southeast swell. It’s a long way out, so we can’t be certain yet, but the models are hinting at some fun, clean conditions with light winds. The following day, the 2nd, the swell backs off a bit to 6ft, but it’s looking glassy with light easterly winds. That could be another sneaky good day, but it’s still over a week away.
So, the plan? Suffer through the flattish start, get amped for Saturday and Sunday, go all-in on Monday the 24th, and keep an eye on the first days of September. There’s a lot to be stoked about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 34°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 5 | S 9 | SE 12 | S 9 | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
41 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 24 | 106 | 53 | 22 | 41 | 159 | 668 | 517 | 439 | 356 | 477 | 828 | 2027 | 2507 | 2622 | 2243 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | on | on | on | glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:34PM0.49m | 00:07AM0.22m | 6:24AM0.50m | 6:24PM0.45m | 7:19AM0.45m | 12:30PM0.36m | 7:12PM0.42m | 8:18AM0.40m | 1:10PM0.39m | 8:07PM0.39m | 12:21PM0.42m | 10:23PM0.39m | 12:07PM0.46m | 11:27PM0.45m | 12:34PM0.51m | 00:07AM0.52m | ||||
Low Tide | 9:43PM0.20m | 9:36AM0.29m | 12:35PM0.29m | 10:01PM0.21m | 9:36AM0.32m | 3:01PM0.32m | 3:13AM0.21m | 4:25PM0.28m | 4:23AM0.16m | 12:13PM0.39m | 5:06AM0.11m | 5:41PM0.20m | 5:48AM0.06m | 6:24PM0.17m | ||||||
— | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 34 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 33 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 |
365 | 280 | 165 | 116 | 102 | 102 | 53 | 102 | 82 | 89 | 99 | 67 | 71 | 356 | 477 | 585 | 1638 | 2507 | 2622 | 2243 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 7 | S 9 | SE 12 | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | S 12 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 |
8 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 106 | 6 | 22 | 41 | — | — | — | — | 29 | 193 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 14 | SE 12 | S 7 | S 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | N 4 | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | SSE 14 | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 61 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | NE 3 | NE 7 | N 4 | — | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | S 11 | S 12 | — | — | — |
41 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 223 | 22 | — | 159 | 668 | 517 | 439 | — | — | 828 | 2027 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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.











