Ristorante or La Toscana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Ristorante (or La Toscana) are looking pretty flat. This is a reef break that’s exposed to SW swell, but the charts are showing a long, dry spell. The water temp is sitting around average for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re staring at a flat ocean.

Right now, starting Monday morning, there’s zero swell. Glassy conditions with a light NE breeze, but no waves to speak of. That sets the tone for the whole first week. Monday afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the WSW at 9 mph and still nothing. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – all the same story. Tiny scraps of 1 ft to 2 ft from the south with periods of 3 to 4 seconds, and the combined energy is a weak 3 to 12, so barely a ripple. The wind is mostly cross-off in the mornings, which keeps things clean, but there’s simply no push.

Friday and the weekend don’t improve. We’re looking at 2 ft to 2 ft, short period, and the energy is up to 30 at best, but it’s still classified as poor surf. The swell is tiny and the wind is either glassy or cross-onshore in the afternoons, chopping up whatever dribble is there. Sunday and Monday (14th and 15th September) are even worse – energy drops to 1 or 2, with swell from the NW at 0.3 ft to 0.7 ft. Absolutely flat.

The middle of the week, around Wednesday 16th, is a complete blank. No swell at all. Thursday 17th, same deal. Then, finally, around Friday 18th September, we see a tiny pulse. Morning brings 2 ft from the SSW at 4 seconds, with a clean ENE offshore breeze at 3 mph. Combined energy nudges up to 16. It’s still not enough to get excited about – the period is too short, the swell is small – but it’s the first sign of life. Saturday 19th morning is similar: 3 ft from the south, period 4 seconds, energy 29, clean cross-off wind. Still poor surf though.

The best chance in this whole 16-day window comes on Monday 21st September. The morning shows 3 ft from the SSW, period 5 seconds, with a clean NE offshore at 6 mph. Energy hits 30. Then Monday afternoon, the wind drops to glassy, the swell bumps up to 3 ft from the south, and the combined energy is 43. That’s the biggest energy we’ve seen all forecast. The waves are still small and short-period, but it's glassy, it's clean, and it's the most rideable it’s going to get. For a beginner, these 3 ft waves are totally fine. For an intermediate, it’s a fun little session. Just don’t expect any power.

The final day, Tuesday 22nd September morning, drops back to 2 ft with energy of 18.

So, to sum it up: the first two weeks are mostly a write-off. There’s a gap of about 14 days before we see anything even remotely surfable. The one standout is Monday 21st September afternoon – glassy, 3 ft from the south, and the most energy (43) on offer. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best of a bad bunch. Crowds are possible at Ristorante, so you might have some company. For the rest of the time, leave the board at home.

Rusty.

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