Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks here at Ritoque. This place is an exposed beach setup, and it’s gonna be a wild ride of a forecast, with some proper gems and some real beasts that only the brave should touch.

We’re kicking off Monday the 13th of July with a serious pulse of energy. That’s a very long-period groundswell from the WSW, around 6ft on the face, glassy conditions – wind is dead calm out of the SW at just 3 mph. The water is about average for this time of year, so no drama there. The combined swell energy is pumping hard at 2505 (moderate to strong). This is excellent surf, but it’s for experienced surfers only at this size. As the day goes on, it pushes up to 8ft with a 16-second period, still glassy – 3649 energy (strong). Monday is the standout of the whole run, hands down. If you’ve got the skills, you go.

Tuesday the 14th is a different story. The swell is still big, pushing 10ft from the WSW, but that’s way too big for this break. The wind is cross-off from the NNE at 6 mph, which keeps it clean, but honestly, this is only for experts who know the sandbanks, and even then, it’s pushing the limit. The energy is still huge at 2904. It’s a pass for most.

Wednesday the 15th settles down. Morning sees a 6ft WSW swell with an 11-second period, cross-off wind, and clean conditions. Energy drops to 802 (moderate). Conditions are very good, but there’s a bit of a crowd factor at Ritoque sometimes, so expect company. The afternoon gets smaller and muddier with a 4ft SW swell and a cross-shore wind, making it marginal.

Thursday the 16th is a write-off. The wind goes mental – NNE at 16 mph in the morning, then a full gale from the N at 31 mph in the afternoon. The swell is all over the place, short-period junk. Don’t bother.

Friday the 17th brings heavy rain and a massive 12ft NW swell. The morning is cross-shore, but the afternoon turns offshore from the E at 6 mph, cleaning it up. The energy is 2843 (strong). Again, this is too big for most, purely expert territory. The rain might keep the crowds thin, but the size is the main issue.

Saturday the 18th is messy. Strong onshore winds from the N at 22 mph in the morning, turning into a 40 mph gale in the afternoon. The 6ft WNW swell is blown out. Not for surfing – might be more interesting for kite surfing if that’s your thing.

Sunday the 19th is a mixed bag. The morning is average with a cross-shore breeze and 5ft WNW swell, but the afternoon turns the corner. Glassy offshore wind from the SE at 6 mph, clean lines, 5ft swell with 11-second period. The energy is 681 (moderate). Expect very good surf conditions.

Monday the 20th has gentle offshore winds from the E, keeping it clean. The swell drops to 4ft from the W, period 10 seconds, energy 491. Good, but nothing to write home about. Tuesday the 21st is small and glassy in the afternoon – 3ft, 8-second period – just a fun little wave for the log.

From Wednesday the 22nd, it dries up completely. There’s a big gap with almost nothing surfable for several days. The swell just disappears, with energy readings below 300. This is normal for the area when the wind goes weird.

Then, hold on. Thursday the 23rd of July, a week and a half away, the models are hinting at something big. A huge 13ft WSW groundswell with a 14-second period hits, but the wind is cross-onshore. The energy is off the charts at 5385 (very strong). It’s too big for the break and onshore. A frustrating combo.

But the real long-range gem is the Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th. Sunday morning sees 8ft from the W with an 11-second period, glassy conditions, and energy of 1634. The water temp remains about average. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Monday the 27th keeps the quality with 8ft W swell, glassy or clean offshore winds, energy around 1500. This is promising, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it – the confidence is lower this far ahead.

The final Tuesday the 28th offers a brief, smaller window: 5ft WNW swell, totally glassy, dead calm wind, and energy of 1156. A clean, fun wave to end the run.

So, the call for the best on offer: The absolute standout is Monday the 13th of July – first thing. That’s a no-brainer. The second best is the long-range promise of Sunday the 26th into Monday the 27th, but treat that as a provisional check-in closer to the date.

Rusty.

Read more