Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the full rundown for Ritoque. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, and while there’s a bit of variety, the middle of the run is where the magic is hiding.

The water is sitting at 54.7°F, which is a touch cooler than average for this time of year, nothing too wild.

Let’s kick it off on Wednesday, July 22. The morning is all about a clean 6.6ft swell from the west, with a 10-second period, and it’s dead glassy. Combined energy is pumping at 950 – that’s moderate wave energy, but the conditions are top shelf. The afternoon holds up nicely, still glassy, with 6.2ft from the west. That whole first day is pure butter.

Thursday, July 23 starts off cleaner with a 3.6ft west swell, but the real standout is the afternoon. The swell jumps to 5.6ft from the west-southwest, the period stretches out to a lovely 12 seconds (longer-period groundswell, great for a point break), and the glassy wind makes it an absolute treat. Combined energy sits at 930.

Friday, July 24 gets a bit messy – we’ve got 6.2ft and 5.9ft swells but the wind goes cross and cross-onshore, bringing in those small wind ripples. Still surfable, but not the pick.

Saturday, July 25 is another day to circle. Morning is glassy with a 3.6ft swell from the west, 10-second period, and combined energy of 506. The afternoon glass stays but the swell drops to 2.3ft – still clean fun on a longboard.

Sunday, July 26 sees the wind pick up from the north, cross-shore at 6-12 mph, and the swell period gets long (18 seconds in the afternoon) but the waves get chopped up. This one is more for the die-hards.

Now, Monday, July 27 – we get a big pulse. Morning swell hits 9.8ft with a 12-second period and combined energy of 2201 (strong wave energy). The wind is cross, and it’s flagged as too big for this break. Unless you’re an expert with a death wish and a big gun, sit this one out.

The gold in this forecast is Tuesday, July 28. Morning delivers 5.6ft from the west-southwest, 13-second period, glassy conditions, and combined energy of 1144 (moderate to strong). This is a standout – clean, powerful lines with good shape. The afternoon fades slightly but still holds 3.6ft.

Wednesday, July 29 through Thursday, July 30 lean into smaller, wind-affected waves. The swell drops to around 4.6ft then 3.6ft, with cross-offshore and cross-shore winds. Ordinary conditions for the most part.

Friday, July 31 is a quiet one – 4.3ft in the morning with a short period (7 seconds) and glassy wind, then the afternoon goes to 2.6ft with moderate cross-offshore breeze. Not worth getting wet for the main session.

Saturday, August 1 starts rainy before glassing off in the afternoon with a 3.3ft west-southwest swell, 13-second period, and 703 combined energy. Clean and glassy – a nice little session for the patient.

Sunday, August 2 rolls in with a solid 4.9ft west swell, 10-second period, glassy wind, and 846 energy. That’s a classic fun day. Afternoon stays glassy with 3.9ft.

Monday, August 3 sees a glassy morning again – 4.6ft from the west-southwest, 12-second period, 542 energy. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore breeze that breaks up the surface.

Then we hit Tuesday, August 4 – the morning is mediocre, but the afternoon brings 4.9ft and moderate cross-onshore chop. Not the best.

Wednesday, August 5 – we get a massive pulse again: 9.8ft with a 14-second period and combined energy of 3361 (very strong wave energy). This is again too big for Ritoque unless you’re an experienced charger. The winds are cross-shore, but the size is the issue.

Thursday, August 6 drops to 6.6ft with a 12-second period and 2039 energy. Another big day, but the wind is cross-shore. The afternoon sees 5.6ft with a 16-second period – long period groundswell that will be lining up nicely for the reef, but the conditions are marginal for paddle surfing unless you’re skilled.

For the standout, I’d put my money on Tuesday, July 28 morning. Clean, glassy, 5.6ft west-southwest swell with a 13-second period – that’s the sweet spot. Big enough for a proper ride, long enough period for great shape, and no wind to mess it up.

Honourable mention: Saturday, August 1 afternoon and Sunday, August 2 morning are also solid, especially if you want a clean glassy session with a bit of energy.

Bear in mind, the big pulses around July 27 and August 5 are for

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