Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s get into it. Ritoque’s the only spot on the table, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a decent run of swell coming in, but it’s not all clean. The water temperature here is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The first few days are a write-off, honestly. Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th are plagued by cross-shore winds and a bit of chop, with swell heights around 6 ft to 8 ft. The wave energy is moderate to strong, hitting 1635 and 1342 on Thursday, but the wind just messes it up. Not worth paddling out for.

Then we get a real standout on Saturday the 8th. The morning session is where it’s at. A solid 10 ft SW swell with a very long period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy is massive at 3568. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but still workable. But listen, that 10 ft is pushing into expert-only territory. This is a powerful groundswell, and with that long period, it’ll be breaking hard and fast. Not for the faint-hearted.

The weekend after that is a bit rough. Sunday the 9th has a 8 ft swell with a 13-second period, but the wind swings cross-onshore in the afternoon, making it lumpy. The energy is still huge at 3602 in the morning, but the quality drops off.

Now, Monday the 10th is a real gem. The morning is glassy – absolute glass. A 8 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is 1952. The wind is dead calm, so it’s going to be clean as a whistle. This is for experienced surfers, though, as it’s still a solid size. The afternoon turns a bit cross-onshore, so get in early.

Tuesday the 11th morning is clean with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 5 ft SW swell. The energy is 685. It’s a more manageable size, and the conditions are good, so this is a solid option for intermediates.

The rest of the first week fades out. Wednesday the 12th is glassy again but with a tiny 2 ft swell. The energy is weak at 305. You’d be struggling for a ride.

The second week is a bit more of a watch-and-see. The swell picks up again around Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th, with 3 ft to 4 ft swells and clean early conditions on Friday morning. The energy is moderate, around 499 to 859.

The real highlight of the second week is Monday the 17th afternoon and Tuesday the 18th morning. Monday afternoon is glassy with a 5 ft WSW swell, energy at 1200, and it’s marked as excellent for experienced surfers. Tuesday morning is also glassy, with a 6 ft SW swell and a 14-second period, energy at 1538. That’s a solid, clean, powerful swell. One for the experienced crew again.

The last few days, from the 19th to the 21st, get messy. The wind picks up, and the swell becomes a bit of a jumbled mix. The 20th morning has a 8 ft SW swell with a 12-second period, energy at 1624, but it’s cross-onshore, so it’ll be choppy.

Best on offer: Without a doubt, Saturday 8th August morning is the big one for the thrill-seekers – massive, powerful, and clean-ish. For a more manageable but still excellent session, aim for Monday 10th August morning for that glassy perfection. Tuesday 18th August morning is also a top-tier call for the second week.

Rusty.

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