Ribeira d'Ilhas Alert Guide

Ericeira, Portugal · part of the Ribeira d'Ilhas spot guide

Ribeira is forecast-only — the nearest buoy is roughly 950 km away — so this is a model-swell alert. The height below is open-ocean; the point refocuses the swell so the rideable face is set by period and angle as much as height.

The forecaster's checklist

1. 1.Want swell from the west to northwest (about 260–300°) — that angle wraps cleanest into the long right.
2. 2.Look for period of 10 seconds or more, which turns a modest height into a lined-up point wall.
3. 3.A model height around 1.5-to-2 metres, mid tide and a light east or northeast wind is classic contest-grade Ribeira.
4. 4.The valley funnels an offshore east-to-southeast wind here even when neighbouring spots are blown out; avoid high tide on a small swell.
5. 5.Once the height tops about 2.5 metres, expect fast inside sections and the outer Pontinha reef — and expect a crowd on any good forecast.

Local winds & tide

Best wind: E–SE offshore (valley funnels it) — from 60° to 160° (ENE–SSE).

Works at all tide stages — a defining virtue — except high tide on a small swell, when it goes fat and backs off; usually best around mid tide.

Dial it in