Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
18.0°C
1.4° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, S swell with 6,078 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 (Aug 25) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s 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 3.5m 17s 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 3.0m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 25th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 25th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 26th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into the outlook for the Riet River area. The first real surf to get excited about turns up on the morning of Friday the 28th, so we’re looking at a few quiet days before that.

The standout period is the first week of September. The combined swell energy is massive, hitting up to 6949 (very strong energy) on the 2nd, but that comes with strong winds. The real gem is the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September. We’re looking at a 7.2ft swell from the SW, with a solid 12-second period – that’s proper groundswell with plenty of punch. The real magic here is the wind: glassy. Absolutely dead calm. That’s going to make for some incredibly clean, lined-up waves at this point break. The swell direction is a solid match for the break’s optimum from the SSW, so expect long, racetrack walls. The energy is moderate (1787), so there’s plenty of push but it won’t be a washing machine. With a 1.4° anomaly, the water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 64.4°, so don’t forget a hood if you’re sensitive.

Now, before that, we’ve got some solid options. Friday morning, the 28th of August, is a good call. The swell is a clean 4.6ft from the south (12 seconds) with an offshore wind from the west at only 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (694), and it’s a solid, clean start to the weekend. Saturday the 29th morning is smaller at 3.6ft, but still clean with light north winds.

The first week of September gets a bit wild. The afternoon of Tuesday the 1st sees a big 9.8ft SW swell (14 seconds) with fresh cross-offshore winds. That’s a lot of water and wave energy (3294), but it’s still manageable. The real giant is Wednesday the 2nd: 13.1ft swell from the SSW. That’s an expert-only zone with strong breeze cross-offshore winds. If you’re not a pro, give it a wide berth. The energy is insane (6949).

After that Thursday the 3rd glass-off, the surf drops off. The 6th of September brings a 5.9ft to 4.9ft SSW swell, but it’s wrecked by a strong cross-onshore wind. The 8th has a tiny 3.3ft glassy morning, but it’s short-lived. The 9th is marginal with cross-shore chop.

Because this is a point break, those long-period groundswells (over 15 seconds) we see on the 25th and 26th of August will be drawing in nicely, but the wind is poor for those days, so it’s a miss. The 31st of August has a small, clean morning but the swell is light.

Overall, if you want the best, clear your calendar for the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September. That’s a winner.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, near gales from the ENE by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat night, light winds from the W by Mon morning).

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
2
0
2
0
0
0
1
3
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSW
16
2.2
SSW
14
3.5
S
17
3
S
15
2.5
S
13
2
S
12
1.9
S
12
1.7
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.4
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.9
S
11
0.6
S
11
0.7
SW
11
2.2
SSW
8
1.2
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.2
SW
12
1.3
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1358
1875
6078
4457
2221
1253
1098
827
537
476
476
305
198
85
112
585
416
383
396
448
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
5
S
25
E
40
E
50
ENE
25
NE
25
ENE
10
NE
10
W
10
NE
20
N
10
N
15
NE
40
WSW
40
SW
35
SW
15
W
5
S
15
ESE
10
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
on
cross-on
High Tide
2:47PM1.33m
2:51AM1.39m
3:13PM1.46m
3:18AM1.48m
3:39PM1.57m
3:45AM1.55m
4:05PM1.66m
4:13AM1.59m
4:32PM1.71m
4:41AM1.59m
4:59PM1.72m
5:10AM1.56m
5:28PM1.69m
Low Tide
8:48PM0.35m
9:01AM0.20m
9:16PM0.24m
9:26AM0.10m
9:44PM0.15m
9:51AM0.03m
10:11PM0.08m
10:17AM-0.01m
10:39PM0.05m
10:44AM-0.02m
11:09PM0.05m
11:13AM0.02m
11:39PM0.09m
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:50
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
17
17
18
18
17
21
26
23
29
33
30
32
31
22
18
18
16
17
17
16
Feels °C
12
15
14
13
9
17
23
22
26
30
25
29
29
18
12
10
11
16
15
14
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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