
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,197 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period with SW 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 24th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NE by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1016 | 636 | 605 | 575 | 483 | 410 | 325 | 255 | 1223 | 1093 | 658 | 373 | 373 | 232 | 189 | 157 | 534 | 481 | 661 | 1162 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on |
High Tide | 6:37PM1.21m | 6:51AM1.07m | 7:06PM1.06m | 7:36AM0.93m | 8:24PM0.93m | 12:20PM0.91m | 00:31AM0.98m | 1:19PM1.06m | 1:21AM1.11m | 1:48PM1.22m | 1:52AM1.25m | 2:13PM1.38m | 2:21AM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:51AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.59m | 1:34AM0.65m | 1:45PM0.73m | 4:33AM0.74m | 6:24PM0.75m | 6:58AM0.62m | 7:22PM0.61m | 7:33AM0.47m | 7:53PM0.46m | 7:59AM0.33m | 8:20PM0.32m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 16 | 17 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 12 | E 7 | SSW 11 | E 9 | SW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 |
1016 | 636 | 605 | 575 | 483 | 410 | 325 | 377 | 1223 | 1093 | 273 | 173 | 149 | 232 | 257 | 157 | 363 | 481 | 661 | 1162 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | SSW 15 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 11 | E 8 | — | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 10 |
255 | — | — | 154 | 224 | 12 | 25 | 255 | 284 | — | 658 | 373 | 373 | 42 | 189 | 147 | 15 | 211 | 166 | 420 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | S 14 | SSE 14 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 174 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | — | 33 | 38 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | SW 11 | — | ESE 4 | E 6 |
316 | 597 | 595 | 761 | 680 | 762 | 619 | 473 | — | 287 | — | — | — | 206 | 335 | 412 | 534 | — | 5 | 198 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3107 | 372 | 781 | 386 | 361 | 135 | 161 | 16 | 96 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 135 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 134 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










