Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s take a look at what’s cooking at Ritoque over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a real mixed bag coming our way. The first few days are pretty much a write-off with messy, cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions, but there’s some serious firepower brewing later on. The standout window is looking like Saturday the 8th of August, but only for the very early session, and then again on Tuesday the 18th of August for the experienced crew. There’s also a gem of a glassy morning on the 13th of August that’s worth a mention.

Right now, the water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild there.

Let’s start with the early action. Friday the 7th is a no-go: light cross-shore winds and a weak, short-period 6 ft SW swell at 8 seconds just isn’t doing it. The combined energy is only 717, so it’s weak. Skip it.

Saturday the 8th of August is the real standout, but you have to be on it first thing. The morning brings a solid 10 ft SW swell from a long-period 14-second groundswell, with a massive combined energy of 3908. That’s strong wave energy. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’s manageable, but listen – this is a big swell. Over 8 ft, so it’s for experienced surfers only. The crowd situation is “sometimes,” so you might have some company. This is your best shot of the whole outlook, but it’s a one-morning-only deal. By the afternoon, the wind cranks up to 19 mph cross-onshore and it’s blown out.

Sunday the 9th is still big, with 8 ft to 10 ft SW swell, but the wind is messing it up. Morning is gentler cross-shore, but the afternoon is a cross-onshore mess. The energy is still strong (3602), but the quality is poor.

Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th drop off. Still some size (5 ft to 8 ft), but the wind is never clean, and the period drops. Marginal at best.

Now, a real hidden gem pops up on Thursday the 13th of August. The swell is only 4 ft from the WSW, but the period is a very long 16 seconds, giving it clean energy (815 combined energy). The wind is completely glassy – zero wind in the morning, and only 3 mph from the NW in the afternoon, still glassy. This is the cleanest surf of the outlook for the intermediate crew. The waves are mellow, lined up, and perfect for a longboard or a funboard. No crowds to worry about either. This is the one to circle if you want a classic, clean session.

Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th are smaller still, with glassy mornings but tiny waves (2 ft to 4 ft). The swell period is long, but there’s just not enough push.

Sunday the 16th brings a bit of size back (4 ft to 6 ft), but the wind is cross-shore and picks up in the afternoon. Marginal.

Then we hit the second standout. Tuesday the 18th of August morning is a special call for the experienced surfer. The swell is 5 ft from the SW with a solid 14-second period, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. The combined energy is strong at 1069. This is excellent surf. The setup is clean, powerful, and the waves will have good shape. Again, over 8 ft for the next morning, so keep that in mind.

Wednesday the 19th of August morning has an 8 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is offshore from the W. That’s a recipe for some serious barrels, but the energy is high (2557). This is expert territory. The afternoon gets too big and messy.

The last few days taper off. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are smaller, with cross-on winds, and nothing to write home about.

Saturday the 22nd of August morning is a nice finish: 6 ft SW swell at 13 seconds, glassy conditions, and excellent for experienced surfers. A solid end to the run.

So, to sum it up: the early morning of Saturday the 8th of August is the biggest, most powerful swell, but it’s for experts only. Thursday the 13th of August is the cleanest, most user-friendly day for everyone. Tuesday the 18th of August is another top-tier glassy session for the more experienced. The rest is a mix of wind-affected or small waves.

Rusty out.

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