Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's get straight into it.

We're looking at an interesting run at Ritoque. The first few days have some nice, clean conditions, but the real standout is shaping up to be a big end to the second week, though that one's got a serious caveat for the experienced crew only.

The forecast kicks off on Saturday, August 1st, with a solid start. The morning is glassy, with a light 4ft south-west swell rolling in at a long 13-second period. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 684. It's a good, clean introduction to the period. The wind stays light and glassy through the afternoon, but the swell bumps up to 5ft with a cross-on wind, making it a bit less inviting.

Sunday, August 2nd, is where it gets good. The morning is dead calm, glassy, with an 8ft south-west swell, 12-second period, and the energy is on the strong side at 1736. This is a big, powerful wave for the experienced surfer. The afternoon holds the same size and quality, still glassy. This is a highlight.

Monday, August 3rd, morning remains excellent for experienced surfers. The swell is still a solid 7ft from the south-west, 12-seconds, with 1325 energy, and the glassy conditions hold. The afternoon turns a bit onshore, making it more marginal.

Tuesday, August 4th, the wind shifts around, blowing cross-shore and then cross-onshore, making the waves a bit messy. The swell is still present (6ft to 7ft), but the quality is compromised.

Wednesday, August 5th, is a return to form. The morning gets glassy again with a 6ft south-west swell, and the afternoon is the absolute standout of the first week. The swell jumps to 7ft, the period stretches to a very long 16 seconds, and the combined energy is a powerful 2306. With glassy conditions, this is a top-tier window for experienced surfers. That long period groundswell will be a dream on a point or reef, but be aware it might close out a bit on the beach.

Thursday, August 6th, has a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is cross-onshore on a 7ft swell, but the afternoon cleans right up, glassy, with a nice 6ft wave. Good session.

The surf starts to taper off from Friday, August 7th, through to Wednesday, August 12th. The sizes drop under 5ft, and the wind is often cross-shore or cross-onshore. The combined energy drops into the 300-800 range, so it's weak. The mornings of August 11th and 12th do offer a little glassy window on a small 3ft swell from the south-west, with a longer period, but it's a small wave day.

Now, here's the big one. Blank the next few days, because the forecast is pointing to a very large, powerful swell arriving on Thursday, August 13th. The morning of the 13th starts with a 7ft swell and cross-on wind, but the afternoon gets glassy again with a 7ft south-west swell. That's a solid session.

But the real monster shows up from Friday, August 14th, through to Sunday, August 16th. The swell is predicted to be 10ft to 12ft from the south-west, with periods of 14 to 15 seconds. The combined energy figures are massive: 3759, 5125, 3784, 3470, and 4009. This is very strong wave energy. The wind is often glassy or light, which would normally be perfect, but the wave itself is just too big for this spot. The data says it's too big for the break, so only the most experienced, well-equipped surfers with a big-wave board and a tow partner should even consider it. This is a serious, powerful, and dangerous swell.

So, to wrap it up: the best windows are Wednesday, August 5th afternoon, for the perfect combination of size, period, and glassy conditions, and the Sunday, August 2nd sessions for the big, clean power. The end of the second week is a big, angry ocean that’s best left to the pros.

Rusty.

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