Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty. We're looking at a decent — if a little up-and-down — run of surf to come here at Ritoque. This is an exposed spot, a fairly consistent intermediate break, and for the next couple of weeks we've got a few windows of good clean surf mixed with some lumpy, windy, or just flat periods. Let's get into it.

The water temp is sitting around 57°, pretty normal for this time of year, so just a standard spring suit job.

Right off the bat, this Saturday the 15th of August kicks off small but clean. Saturday morning there's a bit of light onshore from the NW at 3 mph on a 6ft W swell (moderate combined energy at 968). It's marginal. But Saturday afternoon? That glass-off is the real deal. Wind drops to 0 mph and it's glassy on a 5ft W swell at 10 seconds (802). That's clean, small but workable.

Now the best of the early run is Sunday, the 16th of August. Morning glass, 3 mph SW wind, and a beautiful 3ft SW swell with a long 14 second period (518). That's a proper groundswell, smooth and lined up. For an exposed beach-break like this, a long period can sometimes make them a bit too straight, but at this size it'll be fun, clean, and uncrowded if you're keen. Sunday afternoon gets a bit messy though — 16 mph cross-shore from the SSW.

Monday the 17th saves us again: another glass session on the morning with a 3ft WSW swell at 14 seconds (592) and very light wind. That's worth a paddle. Monday afternoon stays glassy, same swell at 13 seconds (501). Two solid days of clean small waves.

Tuesday the 18th is a step up in size but a step down in condition. Morning sees 5ft SW swell at 12 seconds (1428) with a light cross-onshore. Afternoon goes cross-shore and lumpy with 16 mph winds. It's there but it's not inviting.

Wednesday the 19th looks interesting. The morning is bumpy with a 6ft SW swell at 16 seconds (1927) and 16 mph cross-winds. That's a powerful, very long period groundswell but it's messy. The afternoon though — that's a gem. Wind swings to NNE at 6 mph, clean and cross-off, on a 6ft WSW swell at 14 seconds (1562). That's excellent surf for experienced surfers: strong, clean, and consistent. That could be the pick of the first week.

The rest of the week goes downhill. Thursday the 20th has a 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds (1737) but it's howling cross-shore at 19 mph. That's only for the brave, or maybe a kite surfer. Friday the 21st is similar but a little smaller.

Into the second week, Saturday the 22nd of August stays around 8ft SW lumpy and cross-on. Not great. From Sunday the 23rd into Monday the 24th the swell drops to 3ft to 4ft, short period, and mostly cross-off or glassy — small but clean enough for a longboard.

Then things fire up again. Wednesday the 26th through Friday the 28th looks promising. Wednesday afternoon has an 8ft NW swell at a short 8 seconds (1201) but with a clean cross-off breeze from the NNE at 9 mph. That's got energy but the short period means it'll be a bit crumbly and maybe a handful. Thursday the 27th morning stays clean and cross-off on a 8ft NW swell at 8 seconds (1187) — still for the experienced crew.

The standout of this second week, though, is Friday the 28th of August. Morning glass with an 8ft W swell at 12 seconds (2165). That's a big, solid groundswell with perfect conditions. That'll be a heavy, powerful wave and only for experts — if you're not comfortable in big lumps, stay on the sand. The energy is strong, the period is long, and it's glassy. That's the one to circle on the calendar, but at this range you've got to keep an eye on it.

The last couple of days of the month drop right down to small 3ft to 4ft swells with glassy or light winds — a gentle end to a varied run.

Rusty

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