Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Ritoque.

First up, water temp is sittin’ at 57° with a 1° anomaly – so pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, no surprises there.

Honestly, the next few days are a bit of a write-off. The swell’s there but it’s messy. Thursday the 20th has a 5ft swell from the WSW but it’s 12 seconds, and a cross-shore breeze has it all chopped up. The combined energy is moderate at 924. Not worth paddlin’ out for.

Friday the 21st picks up to 6ft – 7ft but the period drops to 7 or 8 seconds. That’s short-period, wind-swell junk with a cross wind. Energy’s still moderate (678, 659) but the quality is marginal. Saturday and Sunday are flat-ish and weak. 5ft on Saturday with 8 seconds and cross-on wind? Nah. Sunday drops to 3ft – 4ft with next to no energy (243, 185). You’d be better off takin’ a walk.

Monday the 24th is a tease. Swell drops to 2ft but the wind goes glassy, period climbs to 12 – 13 seconds. Energy is moderate (275, 294). Clean but tiny. Might be a longboard session if you’re desperate.

Now, Tuesday 26th afternoon things start to wake up. 6ft from the WSW, 12 seconds, cross-on but light wind. Energy jumps to 857. Still a bit messy, but gettin’ closer.

The real standout hits Thursday the 27th of August. Morning session: 7ft from the WSW, 12 seconds, glassy conditions with ENE wind. Combined energy is a solid 2134. That’s a proper window for experienced surfers. The afternoon jumps to 7ft with a 17 second period – very long period groundswell. That’s gonna wrap into Ritoque with serious power and shape, but the wind switches cross-on, so the morning is the pick for clean lines.

Friday the 28th morning is another big one – 8ft, 15 seconds, cross-offshore breeze from the NNE, energy is 2951. That’s expert territory. Rain showers but the wind’s clean. This is a day for the chargers. Saturday the 29th stays solid (8ft, 13 seconds, 2265 energy) but the wind’s cross-on, so not as clean. Still, plenty of push.

After that, it backs off through the end of August into September. Swell drops below 3ft by Tuesday the 1st of September, with onshore winds and choppy conditions. Energy drops to 309 – 450. Not worth it.

Then a little pulse shows up on Friday the 4th of September: 6ft, 12-13 seconds, light cross-on wind. Energy 1126. It’s marginal but could be alright if the wind plays nice. That’s the last gasp before a flat spell.

So here’s the bottom line: the best on offer is Thursday the 27th of August morning – glassy, solid 7ft groundswell, and plenty of energy. Friday the 28th morning is also a standout for experts with 8ft and clean offshore wind. Ritoque is fairly consistent, but the first week is full of choppy, average conditions. Hang in there for that Thursday, it’ll be worth it.

Rusty.

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