Riet River surfForecast / Eastern Cape (S) / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Thursday 15 Jan 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Riet River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Riet River sea temperature is
19.7° C
(Which is 3.4°C colder than average for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Riet River this week:

The surf forecast for Riet River over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 12 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 15) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 15) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 15th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 17s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 18th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 15th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
1
4
2
1
3
1
0
3
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
SSW
1.7
SSW
2.5
SSW
1.4
SW
1.2
SW
1
SW
0.9
SW
0.9
SW
1.2
SW
2.3
SW
3
SW
2.4
SSW
2.1
SW
1.9
SSW
1.7
SSW
1.7
SW
1.9
SSW
2
SSW
1.4
SW
1.3
SSW
1.2
SSW
Period(s) (?)14131211111010910811121212111111991010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)8629981774503347200160123262754194215271162939634663846589302314272
Wind
(km/h)
25
SSW
30
SSE
25
SE
25
E
25
ESE
15
E
20
E
15
SSW
35
WSW
40
SW
40
SW
15
W
20
S
20
SE
10
WSW
30
SW
25
S
5
ESE
20
ESE
30
E
25
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononononcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcrosscross-
on
offcross-
off
crossglasscross-
on
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:09PM
1.24
2:43AM
1.20
2:47PM
1.34
3:16AM
1.31
3:21PM
1.42
3:48AM
1.40
3:51PM
1.49
4:18AM
1.49
4:21PM
1.54
4:47AM
1.55
4:51PM
1.55
5:17AM
1.59
5:21PM
1.54
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:32PM
0.40
8:38AM
0.44
9:06PM
0.29
9:13AM
0.35
9:36PM
0.20
9:46AM
0.27
10:05PM
0.12
10:17AM
0.21
10:33PM
0.06
10:49AM
0.18
11:02PM
0.03
11:20AM
0.16
11:30PM
0.03
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Sunrise5:16--5:18--5:18--5:18--5:20--5:20--5:22--
Sunset-7:24--7:24--7:23--7:23--7:23--7:22--7:22-
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-21--1--31-----------
Temp. °C232120212121242321222220212121222220212120
Feels °C (?)211716181819232423161515191820181717171716
  • 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 12 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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