Ribanceira Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag of conditions coming up at Ribanceira, a sandbar setup that’s sheltered and picks up swell from the south. The water temperature is sitting at 66°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The forecast starts with a bit of a slow burn. The first few days are pretty ordinary. Sunday the 30th morning has some small, glassy waves around 4ft from the east with an 8-second period, but the energy is weak (178). It’s surfable but nothing to get excited about. Sunday afternoon turns poor with light cross-onshore wind. Monday the 31st morning is marginal with rain and a cross-on breeze, but by Monday afternoon things pick up a touch – 7ft from the east, glassy conditions, and moderate energy (567). That’s a decent window for a session if you don’t mind the rain.

Tuesday the 1st of September looks like the real standout. Morning brings clear skies, offshore wind from the southwest, and 7ft of swell from the east-southeast, with moderate energy (597). The waves are clean and well-shaped for the sandbar. Tuesday afternoon is a bit more tricky with a cross-off wind and a risk of thunderstorms, but morning is the go. Wednesday the 2nd holds smaller 5ft surf from the southeast with offshore winds in the morning, though it’s just ordinary – not a standout.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are mostly poor with onshore or cross-onshore winds and small, weak swell. Friday morning has a tiny 2ft from the southeast (81 energy) but it’s clean with offshore wind – maybe a longboard for the keen.

Then Saturday the 5th gets interesting. The morning has 6ft from the south-southwest with a short 7-second period, but it’s moderate offshore wind and clean. By Saturday afternoon, the swell pushes to 7ft from the south, still short period, but with good offshore wind and moderate energy (532). This is a solid call for a fun, punchy session.

Sunday the 6th of September is the big one for the brave. The morning delivers 10ft from the south with a 10-second period and very strong energy (2839) – that’s a lot of power. Offshore wind from the southwest makes it clean, but at this size, it’s expert-only territory. The afternoon drops to 7ft but with fresh offshore wind. This is a standout for experienced surfers.

Monday the 7th still has clean 6ft–6ft surf from the south with a longer 11-second period, light offshore winds, and moderate energy (866). Great conditions for a solid session, but it’s not as big as Sunday.

After that, the forecast gets messy. From Tuesday the 8th through to Thursday the 11th, we see onshore winds and deteriorating conditions on most days, with small, weak swell. There are a few clean windows on Thursday the 10th afternoon (5ft from the south-southeast, 428 energy) and Friday the 11th morning (4ft, offshore, 383 energy) but nothing special.

The period ends with a whimper. Saturday the 12th has tiny 2ft glassy waves from the south with a long 11-second period, but energy is low (223). Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are all onshore winds and poor surf, with increasing swell (7ft–8ft from the east) but totally choppy and messy – more of a kite surf setup than anything for a paddle.

Best on offer:
Tuesday morning the 1st of September – clean, offshore, 7ft from the east-southeast, good energy.
Saturday afternoon the 5th of September – 7ft from the south, offshore, punchy.
Sunday morning the 6th of September – 10ft from the south, clean, but only for experts.

Keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change, but that’s how it’s looking right now.

Rusty

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