Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 3,387 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Riet River this week:
The surf forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a classic setup on the cards at Riet River, a point break that’s exposed to the SSW swell. The water’s sitting at 63°, which is a solid 4° colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent steamer. The break is inconsistent, but when it turns on, it turns on.
The first real standout is Friday morning, 21 August. The wind is glassy out of the SW at just 3 mph, and we’ve got a clean 7 ft swell from the SSW with a 12-second period. The energy is very strong (1302), and the conditions are set to be excellent. This is the pick of the first week—clean, solid, and the swell direction is spot on. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.
Friday afternoon sees a drop-off with a cross-on breeze, so it’s marginal.
The next big highlight is Tuesday morning, 25 August. Another solid SSW swell, this time 8 ft with a very long period of 14 seconds, meaning proper groundswell. The energy is very strong (2397), and with a light cross-off breeze, it’ll be clean. This is a big-wave day for experienced surfers only—it’s well over 8 ft, so don’t be a hero if you’re not ready. The long period will make it bend nicely around the point.
Wednesday the 26th is a write-off—strong onshore winds and lumpy.
Thursday morning, 27 August is a no-go; cross-on winds and a lumpy sea state.
Look to Friday morning, 28 August. A lighter 5 ft S swell with a 13-second period, clean conditions with a light cross-off breeze. Good energy (846) and a much more manageable size for intermediates.
The following week is a mixed bag, but keep an eye on Sunday morning, 30 August. This is a big one—15 ft from the SW with a 13-second period. The energy is massive (6760), but it’s only for experts. The wind is cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but this is serious size. The long period will make it a proper freight train at the point.
Monday morning, 31 August is a write-off with onshore winds.
Later in the second week, Thursday morning, 3 September shows a 8 ft swell from the SW with a 14-second period, very strong energy (1984), but with a cross-shore wind. It’s a maybe, but not the standout.
Overall, the best bet is Friday morning, 21 August for a pristine, glassy session, and Tuesday 25 August for the big-wave crew. The 30 August swell is massive but promising, though less certain this far out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, near gales from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon morning, strong winds from the ENE by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 7 | SW 9 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1302 | 1027 | 801 | 737 | 1014 | 1182 | 1403 | 1037 | 829 | 722 | 604 | 743 | 2392 | 2146 | 1126 | 3387 | 2614 | 1483 | 972 | 2164 | 1679 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:49AM0.91m | 10:19PM0.96m | 12:37PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:45PM1.05m | 1:47AM1.15m | 2:19PM1.19m | 2:21AM1.28m | 2:47PM1.33m | 2:51AM1.39m | 3:13PM1.46m | 3:18AM1.48m | 3:39PM1.57m | 3:45AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:54PM0.72m | 5:46AM0.71m | 6:30PM0.73m | 7:31AM0.59m | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.24m | 9:26AM0.10m | 9:44PM0.15m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 |
| kJ | 1302 | 1027 | 801 | 737 | 16 | 6 | 1155 | 1037 | 829 | 722 | 604 | 743 | 2392 | 2146 | 1126 | 3387 | 2614 | 1483 | 972 | 2164 | 1679 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | — | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | S 16 | E 10 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | — | W 18 |
| kJ | 13 | 13 | 12 | 35 | — | — | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 543 | 7 | 6 | 815 | 2 | 358 | 333 | 853 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 10 | SE 11 | — | E 9 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | — | 2 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 4 | WSW 4 | SW 7 | SW 9 | SW 11 | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 15 | 21 | 1014 | 1182 | 1403 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 338 | 823 | 1379 | 1405 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 567 | 125 | 243 | 329 | 20 | 123 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 123 | 137 | 243 | 704 | 329 | 161 | 161 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Riet River Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Riet River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Riet River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Riet River surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Riet River) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Riet River may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Eastern Cape (South)? If you are looking for accommodation near Riet River, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape (South), consider staying in Port Alfred which is 5 km (3 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape (South) where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Grahamstown which is 48 km (30 miles) away, Bisho and Fort Beaufort.
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