Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 3,252 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 9s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Riet River stretch.
The main pattern shaping up for us is a series of solid SSW groundswells, but the wind is going to be a real talking point. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, then a few days of promise, a rough patch, and then a couple of interesting windows further out. The water is sitting at 63°F right now, which is a massive 4°F colder than normal for this time of year. That’s a proper winter bite, so you’ll want a thick steamer.
Straight up, the first few days are a write-off. Saturday the 22nd has a huge 31 mph cross-off wind tearing across a 7 ft-12 ft swell. The energy is there (1536), but it’s just ugly and dangerous. Sunday the 23rd is still messy with that cross-off wind, though the swell holds around 7 ft. It’s marginal at best.
Now, Monday the 24th morning is where we start to see a glimmer. The wind drops to a light breeze, the swell is a clean 5 ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, and the energy is still moderate (722). It’s not the biggest, but it’s the first real chance for a paddle.
Tuesday the 25th is the first standout of the forecast. The morning kicks off with a 7 ft SSW swell, a 13-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze. The combined energy jumps to 2083, and the notes say it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a proper window. The afternoon holds that same quality.
Then we hit a wall. From Wednesday the 26th right through to Saturday the 29th, the wind swings onshore and cross-on, blowing hard from the east and east-northeast. The swell is still there, but it’s a mess. Even though the 27th has a 6 ft S swell, the wind is 28 mph, creating a strong cross-onshore chop. That’s a kite-surfing setup, not a paddling one.
We get a bit of a breather on Sunday the 30th. A 10 ft SW swell rolls in with a moderate cross-off breeze, energy at 2351. It’s marginal, but it’s clean. Monday the 31st is similar, with 7 ft-8 ft SSW swell and clean conditions, but the wind is up around 22 mph, so it’s a bit of a battle.
Now, the real target is Friday the 4th of September. The morning shows a 10 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, light cross-off wind, and the combined energy is a massive 6397. The notes say it’s marginal for the rating, but with that period and clean wind, the point break here should be offering up some long, pushing lines. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Just be aware this is a second-week call, so keep an eye on it.
The 5th of September looks blown out again with a 16 ft monster and 31 mph onshore wind. But then Sunday the 6th of September morning is a special mention. The wind goes glassy, the swell is 10 ft from the south with a 14-second period, and the energy is 3200. It’s a big, clean groundswell, but at that size, it’s experts only. That point is going to be a show.
This is a spot that’s inconsistent, so when it lines up, you’ve got to move. The crowds are listed as "sometimes" here, so on a day like the 25th of August or the 4th of September, you can expect company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 11 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | S 17 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
991 | 1219 | 1447 | 1176 | 1102 | 814 | 710 | 604 | 743 | 1362 | 1236 | 2860 | 1699 | 1766 | 2154 | 1335 | 972 | 746 | 628 | 526 | 363 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:37PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:45PM1.05m | 1:47AM1.15m | 2:19PM1.19m | 2:21AM1.28m | 2:47PM1.33m | 2:51AM1.39m | 3:13PM1.46m | 3:18AM1.48m | 3:39PM1.57m | 3:45AM1.55m | 4:05PM1.66m | 4:13AM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:30PM0.73m | 7:31AM0.59m | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.24m | 9:26AM0.10m | 9:44PM0.15m | 9:51AM0.03m | 10:11PM0.08m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 |
36 | 17 | 6 | 1176 | 1102 | 814 | 710 | 604 | 743 | 1362 | 1236 | 2860 | 1699 | 1766 | 2154 | 1335 | 972 | 1776 | 1026 | 878 | 1086 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | — | — | E 9 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | S 16 | E 9 | S 17 | S 16 | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
231 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 536 | 721 | 1189 | 2 | 1621 | 1548 | — | 129 | 391 | 746 | 628 | 526 | 363 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 16 | S 15 | SW 16 |
314 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 407 | 242 | 86 | 155 | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SW 8 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
991 | 1219 | 1447 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 33 | 66 | 310 | 773 | 1568 | 2393 | — | 1230 | 1978 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 243 | 332 | 127 | 123 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 287 | 567 | 361 | 333 | 329 | 5 | 16 | 135 | 16 |
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.











