Surf Forecasts:
Ribanceira surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 3,817 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period with SW 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 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 7s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. 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 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ribanceira over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, grab a coffee and settle in. Rusty here, and I've been staring at the charts for Ribanceira. This is a classic sandbar setup, and it's a tale of two halves. For the first few days, it's a bit of a write-off, but then the ocean really wakes up.
The week ahead starts with a yawn. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are total write-offs with poor surf and onshore winds. You're looking at small, weak dribble with combined swell energy hanging around 114 to 209 (weak to moderate). Not worth getting wet for. Then, Saturday the 22nd brings a real shift. The swell jumps to 8 feet from the S but that's too big and messy for the sandbar with onshore wind for the morning. It's still ordinary.
The real standout, the absolute gem in this forecast, is Monday the 24th. Early morning at Ribanceira you're looking at a solid 10 feet of S groundswell, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 3817 (strong to very strong). That's proper groundswell, and with a clean offshore wind from the SW, it'll be cooking. This is for experienced surfers only—it's a big, powerful wave that will be barrelling down the bank. For the mere mortals, the Sunday the 23rd is a cracking option too. You've got 6 to 7 feet of S swell with a 12-second period, clean cross-off winds, and combined energy in the 918–1342 range (moderate to strong). It's a much friendlier size and will offer plenty of fun, long walls.
After that high, the wind turns nasty. From Tuesday the 25th right through to the 30th of August, the onshore and cross-onshore winds trash the surf. The swell drops, and it's mostly poor conditions. There's a brief, glassy moment on the morning of Friday the 28th, but with only 2 feet of weak energy (129), it's just a knee-high dribbler.
Then, into the first week of September, we get another pulse. The 31st of August and the 1st of September see moderate SW swells with offshore winds, but the conditions are ordinary to good at best. It’s a bit of a gamble with rain in the mix. The water temp here is around 67°, which is about normal for this time of year, so a steamer might be handy early but not essential.
The long-range standout is a curious one. On the morning of the 4th of September, the charts show a sudden 10 feet S swell with a moderate 9-second period and massive energy (2183). But the onshore wind from the ENE means it's going to be a messy, choppy beast. Honestly, for a sandbar like Ribanceira, that setup looks more interesting for the kite crew than for a paddle surfer. It's one to keep a loose eye on, but don't set the alarm.
So, if you're after the best the month has to offer: Sunday the 23rd for the everyday surfer, and Monday the 24th if you're a charger.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
108 | 55 | 48 | 107 | 439 | 1252 | 1079 | 601 | 555 | 918 | 1342 | 2542 | 3817 | 2853 | 2009 | 1355 | 1053 | 746 | 569 | 1076 | 805 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 1:15PM0.56m | 00:48AM0.58m | 1:57PM0.61m | 1:34AM0.63m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:33AM0.02m | 7:05PM0.14m | 7:16AM-0.02m | 7:40PM0.12m | |||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | S 9 | ENE 7 | S 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 |
120 | 55 | 84 | 100 | 38 | 34 | 718 | 601 | 555 | 918 | 1342 | 2542 | 3817 | 2853 | 2009 | 1355 | 1053 | 746 | 569 | 1076 | 805 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ENE 7 | E 11 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | SE 16 | — | — |
108 | 6 | 5 | 56 | 2 | — | 39 | 41 | 28 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 166 | 349 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | — | S 15 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 7 | S 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 |
— | 160 | 48 | 107 | 439 | 1252 | 1079 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 29 | 51 | 100 | 183 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 47 | 2 | 2 | 70 | 30 |
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.











