Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.2° C
2.7° 

Riet River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Riet River surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,349 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 14th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 10s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 16th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful11AM (Fri 17th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.


Right folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for the Riet River stretch. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows worth keeping an eye on if you’re keen.

The first few days are pretty flat and messy, so no point rushing out. Monday the 13th is a write-off with onshore wind and weak, choppy surf. Tuesday the 14th morning is where things start to turn – a tiny 2ft SSW swell pushes in with glassy conditions. It’s weak, with combined swell energy of just 118, but if you’re desperate for a clean little glide on a point break, it’s a chance. It’s inconsistent here though, so don’t expect much.

The first real standout window comes in on Thursday the 16th. A solid 7ft SW swell (14-second period) arrives with light NE cross-on wind. Combined energy is moderate at 1855. This is intermediate territory, but it’s a point break so that longer-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. The water feels about average for this time of year. There’s a chance of crowds here, so get it early.

Friday the 17th morning is an interesting one – a solid 8ft SSW swell (13 seconds) with a strong 25 mph offshore wind from the WSW. That’s clean, yes, but at that size it’s expert-only and paddling out will be a mission. Combined energy is very strong at 2440. Only for the brave.

Things go a bit ordinary again over the weekend, with onshore wind and dropping swell. Sunday the 19th afternoon offers a small reprieve: 3ft SW groundswell, glassy conditions, combined energy of 490. It’s surfable and clean, but small.

Now, hold tight for the big daddy. Thursday the 23rd morning is the absolute standout of the whole period. A chunky 12ft SSW swell (13 seconds) with clean offshore wind from the west. Combined energy is a massive 3949. This is excellent for experienced surfers on a point break – powerful, lined-up, and clean. It’s over 8ft, so leave the foam boards at home. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

After that, the 24th and 25th offer smaller but still fun SSW swell in the 6ft to 8ft range, with light cross-shore wind. Good for intermediates.

The 26th is a write-off – a huge 18ft SW swell but with howling onshore wind and rain. That is kite-surf territory, not paddle. Then the 27th morning cleans up again with an 12ft SSW swell (15 seconds) and light cross-on wind; combined energy is 5163. That’s expert-level, powerful, and worth a look if you’re solid.

To sum it up: the best on offer is Thursday the 23rd morning – that 12ft SSW swell with offshore wind is the session to aim for. The Tuesday the 21st window also looks promising for long-period groundswell. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big for the average punter.

Stay keen.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon).

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
3
4
3
3
2
2
3
0
0
1
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSW
11
1
S
10
0.8
SSW
10
0.7
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
10
0.4
SW
9
0.9
SW
6
1.8
SW
11
2.1
SW
14
2
SSW
13
1.7
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SSW
12
2.2
SSW
11
2
S
11
1.3
S
11
1
S
10
1
S
12
0.8
S
11
0.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
292
221
121
90
67
65
31
64
712
1688
1401
966
2349
1903
1121
907
426
214
266
143
236
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
20
ENE
10
NNW
5
W
10
SSW
10
WNW
10
W
25
SW
10
WNW
10
NNE
15
ENE
20
WSW
40
WSW
25
SW
10
SE
30
ENE
40
ENE
15
N
30
WSW
35
WSW
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
3:12PM1.46m
3:27AM1.58m
3:58PM1.56m
4:12AM1.61m
4:41PM1.63m
4:53AM1.59m
5:22PM1.66m
5:32AM1.54m
6:01PM1.63m
6:10AM1.45m
6:40PM1.56m
6:47AM1.34m
7:18PM1.46m
Low Tide
9:00AM0.14m
9:16PM0.18m
9:44AM0.06m
10:04PM0.12m
10:26AM0.01m
10:49PM0.10m
11:04AM-0.00m
11:31PM0.12m
11:41AM0.03m
00:11AM0.18m
12:17PM0.10m
00:51AM0.27m
12:52PM0.20m
1:31AM0.37m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:15
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:13
7:13
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
 mm
1
Temp °C
17
18
17
20
21
17
17
18
16
18
20
20
18
19
16
16
17
16
19
19
16
Feels °C
14
14
16
18
19
16
16
16
14
17
18
19
11
12
12
10
11
10
13
13
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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