Map
The Ranch
Today's Surf Conditions at The Ranch
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
The Ranch has long held a reputation as a well-guarded secret tucked away near El Capire, but today the cat’s out of the bag. These days, it’s a regular stop for resort guests arriving by car or panga, drawn by a reliable mix of lefts and rights that peel over a lively reef bottom. The waves rise from a Southwest swell window—though South and Northwest pulses also contribute—and pack their best punch in the 2- to 3-foot range. Lefts are the main draw: consistent, sometimes a touch bigger than neighboring breaks, and offering a playful line when the direction lines up. Rights become more frequent as the swell swings northwest, and the rivermouth can organize into a well-shaped wedge. The Ranch works across all tides, with low, mid, and high each offering distinct faces, making it a versatile option for intermediate surfers who can handle a reef underfoot. Offshore Northeast winds groom the sets into crisp, open walls as they hit the outside peak. Yes, that peak gets crowded, and the vibe can be a little territorial on busier days—but if you’re willing to slide inside and pick off the sections that slip through, there’s still a rewarding stretch of wave waiting for those who earn it.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (October - March)
As winter takes hold, the North Pacific storm track shifts south, sending consistent, long-period SW and SSW swell marching into The Ranch. With an average period hovering around 13.5 seconds and heights in the fun 1-1.5m range, these months deliver clean, powerful surf. The key is the wind: offshore flow from the N, NNE, and NE quadrants dominates over 50% of the time from December through January, smoothing out faces and creating pristine conditions. November and February also see high percentages of favorable wind, making this the true window for quality waves.
Fair Surf Season (April - September)
Spring and summer bring a noticeable uptick in average swell height, peaking at 1.7m in September, and periods remain in the 13-14 second range. The swell direction is almost exclusively from the S through SW – perfect for the SSW-facing beach. However, the wind story changes dramatically. The percentage of offshore wind drops below 40%, and the prevailing flow shifts to S, SSW, and SW, blowing directly onshore and chopping up the surf. You'll still find pockets of clean waves during early morning offshore breezes or when weak systems pass, but consistency is low. This is a fair season for the patient surfer.
Detailed Surf Information for The Ranch
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for The Ranch with tidal graphs, period ranges, and daily forecast text summaries.
Swell & Wind Statistics
Explore historical swell consistency, wave heights, and offshore wind windows month-by-month, compiled from over 40 years of data.
Historical Surf Report
Browse the historical database archives to view past wave reports and understand spot climatology during specific years and months.
