Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,907 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and knots. The 16-day window starts slow at Riet River – the first few days are a bust with onshore wind and junk surf, so sit tight.
Monday the 14th (September) afternoon is where it starts. A light cross-offshore wind from the SW at 5 knots cleans up a 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period. The swell energy is moderate (307). Expect some clean, lined-up waves on the point, but nothing massive.
Tuesday the 15th (September) morning is another solid option. A moderate offshore wind from the WSW at 11 knots keeps the 3ft SSW swell (11-second period) clean. Combined energy is 225. Good for an intermediate surfer to get some rides.
The real standout is Friday morning the 18th (September). Glassy conditions – wind from the ESE at 3 knots – and a solid 6ft SSW swell with a 12-second period. Combined energy is strong at 925. This is hands-down the best session: clean, glassy, and good size for the point. Crowds are possible, but not guaranteed.
Sunday the 20th (September) morning is also good. A light cross-offshore breeze from the SSW at 5 knots with a 5ft SSW swell (13-second period). Combined energy of 654. Clean and fun.
Later in the window, things get big but tricky. Wednesday the 23rd (September) morning sees a 10ft SW swell, but the wind is a light cross-onshore. That’s only for experts. Combined energy is very strong at 3222, but the conditions are just marginal.
Friday the 25th (September) has a 7ft SSW swell with a strong offshore wind at 24 knots – makes paddling out a mission, and the waves are hard to catch. Not for most punters.
Best bets: Friday 18th (September) morning for glassy, punchy groundswell, and Sunday 20th (September) morning for clean, manageable waves. The long-period groundswell (13-15 seconds) will mean longer waits between sets, but the waves will be powerful and well-shaped on this point. Keep an eye on the wind, and you’ll score.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 15 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 293 | 252 | 1907 | 1634 | 1091 | 649 | 427 | 307 | 243 | 160 | 281 | 453 | 1106 | 522 | 612 | 504 | 504 | 472 | 464 | 464 | 915 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:27PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.59m | 4:55PM1.71m | 5:07AM1.53m | 5:22PM1.62m | 5:33AM1.44m | 5:47PM1.49m | 5:59AM1.33m | 6:12PM1.35m | 6:24AM1.21m | 6:37PM1.21m | 6:51AM1.07m | 7:06PM1.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:12AM-0.04m | 10:37PM0.01m | 10:40AM-0.00m | 11:05PM0.06m | 11:07AM0.07m | 11:31PM0.14m | 11:33AM0.18m | 11:56PM0.25m | 11:59AM0.30m | 00:22AM0.38m | 12:25PM0.44m | 00:51AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.59m | 1:34AM0.65m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSW 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 114 | 116 | 1907 | 1634 | 1091 | 649 | 1591 | 1601 | 1485 | 1037 | 709 | 520 | 1106 | 442 | 553 | 277 | 208 | 472 | 418 | 430 | 915 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SSW 11 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | E 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 293 | 251 | 88 | 41 | 7 | 2 | 427 | 307 | 243 | 160 | 281 | 453 | 384 | 284 | 250 | 504 | 504 | 161 | 464 | 464 | 388 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | SSW 15 | SE 12 | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 94 | 252 | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 13 | 51 | 273 | 50 | 522 | 145 | 204 | 158 | — | 127 | 96 | 68 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | SW 4 | SW 7 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | S 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 44 | 112 | 746 | 2092 | 2151 | 1858 | 1827 | — | 12 | 42 | — | — | — | 91 | 612 | 237 | 300 | 447 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 149 | 135 | 191 | 386 | 386 | 386 | 331 | 142 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 126 | 126 | 127 | 167 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 435 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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