Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards. We’ve got Ritoque as the main player, and the early part of the week is where the magic really sits. There’s a solid south-west groundswell coming in and conditions are going to clean right up for the first weekend. The combined swell energy is hitting 557 to 643 on Sunday 26 July, which is moderate wave energy, but the quality is where it counts – glassy conditions with those south-west swells. It's a fairly consistent spot so it should be running.

Sunday 26 July is the standout. The swell is around 3 ft to 3 ft from the WSW, a long 13 to 17 second period – proper groundswell, and with glassy wind, those lines will be peeling nicely. The break can get crowded sometimes, so get in early if you can. The water's about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.

Monday 27 July pushes up into the 6 ft to 6 ft range from the west, period dropping to 10 to 12 seconds, but the wind turns cross-shore and a bit bumpy. The wave energy jumps up (963 to 1545) but quality takes a hit – it’s more of a struggle session.

Tuesday 28 July sees the swell hold at 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW, and the morning offers a clean cross-off wind with that moderate wave energy (1641). That’s the gear for experienced surfers; anything over 8 ft is only for the experts, so this is right on the edge for the average punter.

Wednesday 29 July drops back with the swell getting sloppy as the wind stays cross-onshore. Not worth paddling out for.

From Thursday 30 July through to Friday 31 July, the swell fades to under 3 ft and the wind gets messy – a gap of a few days with no real recommendations.

Saturday 1 August brings a return to form. Morning starts glassy with a 5 ft west swell at 11 seconds, and the afternoon holds at 5 ft. The wave energy is 590 to 618, and it's clean – glassy conditions again. That’s a solid option for the weekend.

Sunday 2 August is one to watch if you’re a charger, but it’s a warning for everyone else. The swell pushes up to 8 ft in the morning and then hits 10 ft in the afternoon from the WNW. The wind is cross-shore and the wave energy is massive (1625 to 1738). The forecast says it’s too big for this break, so steer clear unless you’re an absolute expert.

After the 2nd, the run continues with a lot of marginal conditions and cross-shore winds, but there are a few mornings that could offer something. Wednesday 5 August morning has a 6 ft WSW swell with gentle cross-shore wind and 12 second period – worth a look if you’re local.

The 8th and 9th of August have bigger swells again – 7 ft to 6 ft from the SW with long periods (13-14 seconds), but the wind is fresh and bumpy, making it lumpy, so don’t get too excited.

Through the second week, conditions stay mixed. Best to keep an eye on the clean windows. The real standout is definitely Sunday 26 July and Saturday 1 August – glassy, clean, and that groundswell is a treat.

Rusty

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