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

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Thursday 28 May 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
19.5° C
(Which is 2.1°C colder than average for this time of year)

Riet River surf forecast from 28 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 28 May, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 29 May, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 3,549 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 28 May, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s 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 Thursday (May 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 12s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jun 01) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 28th May)5ft (1.5m) 17s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 28th May)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 29th May)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
3
3
2
0
0
0
2
0
2
1
2
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSW
16
2.2
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
14
1.7
SSW
13
1.5
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.3
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.4
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.8
SSW
11
1.1
SW
11
2.1
SE
7
4
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1832
2419
3549
3331
2480
1699
1002
734
458
525
640
496
314
303
354
668
635
814
268
363
2042
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
10
SSW
15
W
20
SE
10
SSE
15
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
20
NE
15
NE
20
ENE
15
N
15
NNW
10
SSW
5
NNW
35
WSW
35
SW
15
S
25
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:12PM1.27m
2:20AM1.43m
2:47PM1.33m
2:54AM1.46m
3:19PM1.36m
3:26AM1.46m
3:51PM1.38m
3:58AM1.46m
4:23PM1.38m
4:30AM1.44m
4:56PM1.37m
5:02AM1.40m
5:31PM1.34m
Low Tide
8:07AM0.30m
8:07PM0.36m
8:39AM0.25m
8:42PM0.32m
9:10AM0.21m
9:15PM0.29m
9:40AM0.20m
9:48PM0.28m
10:12AM0.20m
10:21PM0.29m
10:43AM0.21m
10:54PM0.32m
11:16AM0.24m
11:29PM0.37m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:13
5:12
5:12
5:12
5:10
5:10
1
4
1
9
Temp °C
18
19
18
18
18
17
18
21
18
21
24
23
28
31
21
18
20
18
16
17
15
17
18
19
16
17
15
15
18
15
19
22
21
24
28
22
13
12
13
11
12
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SSW
16
2.2
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
15
2.5
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
14
1.7
SSW
13
1.5
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.3
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
13
1.3
ENE
7
1.1
ENE
8
1.1
SW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.4
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.8
SSW
11
1.2
S
8
1.1
SW
11
1.3
SSW
12
Energy kJ
1832
2419
3549
3331
2480
1699
1002
734
458
525
640
171
143
303
354
668
635
814
164
325
525
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
6
0.2
ENE
7
0.2
ENE
7
0.8
SSE
7
0.7
SE
7
0.7
SE
7
0.6
ESE
7
0.6
ESE
8
1.3
SSW
12
1.1
SW
12
1
E
8
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
8
0.5
E
8
0.4
E
8
1.1
SW
11
0.6
SSW
14
0.3
S
16
Energy kJ
4
5
4
59
47
54
32
45
496
314
118
73
60
29
19
268
123
46
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
S
15
0.3
S
15
0.3
ESE
8
0.1
E
7
0.3
SSW
12
0.4
NE
7
0.4
E
8
0.1
S
13
0.4
SSW
16
Energy kJ
3
19
24
69
38
13
1
27
13
20
3
86
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
NE
4
1
ENE
4
1.2
ENE
6
1.1
ENE
6
1.2
ENE
6
1.6
ENE
7
1.7
WSW
6
1.6
SW
7
0.2
ENE
6
2.1
SE
7
4
SE
8
Energy kJ
16
37
90
95
115
251
183
228
4
363
2042
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
6
4
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
2
2
2
4
2
2
1
2
4
Distance (km)
0
0
0
135
167
16
125
142
16
5
142
4
5
0
0
329
126
138
168
351
331
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South)
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
6
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
6
7
7
6
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
9
9
6
5
5
5
5
7
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
  • 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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