Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 08 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.4° C
2.5° 

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 8 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,504 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s 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 (Jul 09) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Thu 9th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 9th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 10th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell lining up at Riet River, but you’ll need to pick your moments this week. This is a point break that’s inconsistent, so don’t expect magic every day – but when it fires, it’s a gem.

The water’s sitting at 63°F — that’s 5°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer. No messing around.

It kicks off Wednesday July 8th with a modest pulse. Wednesday morning sees 6ft from the SW (13-second period) and a moderate cross-off breeze. Combined wave energy is moderate at 1066. It’s clean but the score is marginal – tide might be a factor. Wednesday afternoon the wind shifts proper offshore, solid 22 mph, and the swell drops a touch to 5ft. Still, that fresh offshore will have the lines looking tidy, but the energy is moderate at 930.

Thursday July 9th is where things step up. Morning brings 10ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, moderate offshore wind from the WSW. That’s big – combined energy jumps to 2496 (strong). This is one for experienced surfers only; over 8ft is expert territory. The afternoon holds at 10ft, period stretches to 13 seconds, energy hits 2853, and the wind turns cross-off. Clean and punching.

Friday July 10th is the standout. Morning sees 12ft from the SSW, 13-second period, moderate offshore wind. Combined energy is a meaty 3809 – very strong. Afternoon stays solid at 10ft, same direction and period, with a gentle cross-off breeze and energy at 3157. This is the best on offer – big, clean, and powerful. Only for the crew who mean it.

Saturday July 11th the wind swings onshore from the east, 9–12 mph, and the swell drops to 8ft in the morning, 8ft in the afternoon. Energy is still strong (1845 / 1649) but the wind is ruining it. Sunday July 12th is poor – onshore ENE wind up to 22 mph, swell down to 6ft, energy at 864. Not worth paddling out.

Monday July 13th sees a drop: 3ft from the SSW with a gentle offshore, energy low at 334. Small but clean. Tuesday July 14th is tiny – 2ft morning, 5ft afternoon with a short 8-second period. Energy is weak (148–287). Wednesday July 15th is nearly flat with 3ft and a 7-second period – glassy afternoon though, so if you’re desperate…

Thursday July 16th is small again, 2ft morning, but the afternoon picks up to 5ft from the SW with a 9-second period and onshore wind. Energy is moderate at 461. Friday July 17th brings a new pulse: 8ft from the SW in the morning, 8ft from the SSW in the afternoon, both with cross-off wind and strong energy (1716 / 1600). Marginal, but clean.

Saturday July 18th is a sleeper: 6ft from the SSW, 11-second period, glassy in the morning – combined energy 759 (moderate). That’s a clean, fun size for those who can read the tide.

Sunday July 19th is a write-off – strong cross-on winds up to 25 mph, messy, lumpy. Energy is moderate but the conditions are poor.

Monday July 20th stays onshore and choppy. Tuesday July 21st morning brings 4ft from the SSW, 12-second period, with a gentle cross-off breeze – clean but small. The afternoon has a 3ft swell with a very long 17-second period from the S, energy at 843. That long period will suit this point beautifully, but the wind is light cross-shore.

Wednesday July 22nd morning has 6ft from the SSW, 13-second period, gentle cross breeze, energy moderate at 1122. Afternoon the wind swings onshore and ruins it. Thursday July 23rd morning is cross-shore with 5ft from the SSW, energy moderate at 592. The afternoon pushes 7ft from the SSW, 11-second period, cross-on breeze, energy 1249 – marginal but not terrible.

Best of the run: Friday July 10th. Big 10–12ft SSW groundswell, clean offshore wind, strong energy. Expert-only, but absolutely pumping at Riet River. Saturday July 18th morning is a dark horse – glassy, 6ft, clean lines for the crew who know the tides.

That’s the story. Stay patient, keep your eyes on the wind, and respect the inconsistency – this place rewards the ones who wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sat morning, strong winds from the ENE by Sun night).

Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
6
4
3
5
5
5
4
3
2
2
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
3
SSW
13
3
SSW
12
3
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
13
3
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
12
2.4
SSW
12
2.2
S
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.6
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
11
1
SSW
11
0.9
SSW
10
0.8
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
10
1.4
SW
8
1.7
WSW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1044
803
3383
2493
2844
4504
3809
3150
2329
1845
1649
1369
729
615
350
249
184
116
71
204
310
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
35
WSW
20
SW
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
W
25
WSW
15
WSW
0
ESE
15
E
15
E
20
E
30
ENE
35
ENE
40
NE
15
WSW
20
SW
15
W
10
WNW
20
SW
5
N
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
9:03AM1.11m
9:47PM1.30m
10:28AM1.07m
11:10PM1.29m
12:03PM1.10m
00:33AM1.34m
1:20PM1.20m
1:42AM1.42m
2:21PM1.33m
2:38AM1.51m
3:12PM1.46m
3:27AM1.58m
3:58PM1.56m
4:12AM1.61m
Low Tide
3:07PM0.44m
4:23AM0.48m
4:27PM0.49m
5:50AM0.44m
5:57PM0.47m
7:07AM0.36m
7:17PM0.39m
8:09AM0.25m
8:22PM0.28m
9:00AM0.14m
9:16PM0.18m
9:44AM0.06m
10:04PM0.12m
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:15
7:15
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
 mm
3
1
1
1
Temp °C
17
18
16
16
17
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
18
19
18
18
19
16
18
18
16
Feels °C
14
13
10
11
12
11
10
11
16
14
13
13
13
14
12
16
16
15
16
15
15
  • 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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