Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for us over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid window of surf on the horizon, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The first few days are a bit of a slow burner, but once the swell kicks in, it’s gonna be on. The standout period is definitely the start of the second week, but we’ll get to that.

Saturday morning (August 1st) is a bit of a washout with a weak, cross-on breeze and a 1.5m (5-foot) SW swell that’s just not holding together. The combined energy is weak at 1035, so honestly, you’re better off waiting.

Sunday morning (August 2nd) is where it starts to get interesting. We’ve got a clean 2.5m (8-foot) W swell with a lovely 12-second period, and the wind is offshore from the ESE at 5 km/h (3 mph). The water is sitting at 14° (58°F), which is about a degree warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing crazy, but a nice little bonus. The combined energy is pumping at 2194, and the waves are going to be proper. The afternoon glass off with a WSW swell and glassy conditions is just as good. This is a solid day for the experienced crew.

Monday morning (August 3rd) keeps the good vibes going. A 2.2m (7-foot) WSW swell, 12-second period, and glassy conditions under clear skies. The energy is strong at 1392. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on, so the morning session is the one.

Tuesday (August 4th) and Wednesday (August 5th) are a mixed bag. Tuesday has some cross-shore and cross-on wind that messes with the shape, but Wednesday morning is back to glassy with a 1.4m (5-foot) swell. The real gem on Wednesday is the afternoon though – a 2.1m (7-foot) WSW swell with a 16-second period (very long period groundswell) and glassy conditions. The combined energy is 2078. This is a standout for the point break and reef setups, but at a beach break, that long period might make it a bit too straight. Still, a beautiful swell.

Now, here’s the big one. From Saturday, August 8th, through to Tuesday, August 11th, we’re looking at some serious size. The swell is consistently over 2.5m (8 feet), peaking at 3.5m (12 feet) on Monday afternoon. The combined energy readings are massive – 3394, 4168, 3573 – this is strong to very strong wave energy. The wind is cross or cross-on, but the main issue is the size. At 3.0m (10 feet) and above, this is strictly for experts only. If you’re not comfortable in big, heavy surf, give it a miss. The setup at Ritoque is a beach break, so with this much power and size, it might actually be more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers.

After that big pulse, it settles down. Wednesday, August 12th, is a nice reset. You’ve got a 2.1m (7-foot) SW swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions in the morning. Good energy at 1180. This is a solid, clean day for the intermediate surfer.

The last few days of the outlook, from Thursday, August 13th, onwards, are a real fade. The swell drops off to under 1.2m (4 feet), and the energy is low (293 to 877). The periods get long again (14-18 seconds), which means long waits between sets, and the wind is mostly cross-on. It’s not a total flat spell, but it’s a good time to tune up the board or just take a break.

So, the best on offer? Sunday, August 2nd for the clean, offshore morning and the afternoon glass-off, and Wednesday, August 5th afternoon for that long-period groundswell in glassy conditions. If you’re an expert, the big swell window from August 8th to 11th is your challenge, but be smart about it.

Rusty.

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