Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Issued: 7 pm 05 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
16.8° C

3.1°C colder than average for this time of year

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 5 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,996 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period with SE 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 (Jul 06) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 6th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 10th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 10th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here with a good hard look at the Riet River. This point break has got some serious potential on the horizon, but you're going to have to be patient because the first week is a real mixed bag. There's a big, powerful swell coming through, but the wind is going to be a fight for most of it. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing too wild.

The first real flicker of life is Monday the 6th of July morning. We've got light offshore wind from the west at 3 mph, with a small 3-foot swell pushing in from the southeast. The wave energy is weak (320), but with glassy conditions it’ll be a fun little session for anyone who doesn't mind a longboard. That afternoon, the wind swings onshore and it gets messy.

Tuesday the 7th morning is blown out with a strong WSW wind, but Tuesday arvo sees a cleaner 5-foot SSW swell with moderate energy (846). The wind is cross-off, so it might be a bit bumpy but rideable.

Wednesday the 8th has a building swell, hitting 8 feet by the afternoon, but it's coming with a fresh 22 mph wind. It's going to be a battle.

Now, here's the standout: Thursday the 10th of July morning. This is the best session of the entire forecast. It's glassy—zero wind. The swell is a solid 12-foot SSW groundswell with a very long period of 14 seconds, generating strong wave energy (3949). This is expert territory, no question. That long period is going to wrap beautifully around the point, offering long, powerful walls. The conditions will be absolutely pristine, with the combined energy in the thousands. If you've got the skills, this is the one.

That afternoon, the wind comes onshore and ruins it.

Saturday the 11th morning looks choppy, but Saturday afternoon brings a classic Riet River moment. The wind goes light offshore from the west at 3 mph, grooming a 6-foot SSW swell with 12-second period. The energy is solid (1255). It will be clean, powerful, and consistent for the point. This is the backup session for the more experienced crew.

The following week gets interesting again. Saturday the 18th of July morning and afternoon both look excellent. A steady 6-foot to 6-foot SSW swell (12-second period) is met with a moderate offshore wind from the west/WSW. The wave energy is strong (1168 and 1049). It will be clean and punchy, offering long rides on the point without the terrifying power of that 12-foot day.

The rest of the second week is largely blown out by cross-onshore winds, with the swell dropping off significantly towards the 20th and 21st of July. That Tuesday morning on the 21st has a 3-foot swell from the SSW with an incredibly long 18-second period, but the energy is weak (594), so it’s one for the longboarders on a quiet point.

All in all, circle Thursday the 10th of July morning and Saturday the 11th of July afternoon for the first week, and Saturday the 18th July for the second. The rest is mostly a wait and see.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Fri morning).

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sun
12
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
1
3
2
2
2
4
4
3
6
5
0
0
0
4
4
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SE
11
0.9
SE
11
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.4
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SSW
13
2.3
SW
13
3
SSW
12
3
SSW
12
3
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
14
3
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.2
S
12
1.8
SSW
12
2.3
SE
8
2.2
ESE
8
1.3
SSW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
273
166
463
437
604
798
718
904
1751
2589
2451
3078
4996
3949
3139
2199
1459
918
622
575
373
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
5
W
10
E
15
NNW
25
WSW
15
SW
10
N
30
WSW
35
WSW
15
WSW
30
WSW
30
WSW
15
WNW
0
SSW
25
E
30
E
25
ENE
5
W
25
W
55
WNW
40
W
Wind State
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
on
cross-on
off
off
off
off
High Tide
7:11AM1.27m
7:47PM1.38m
7:59AM1.19m
8:39PM1.34m
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
Low Tide
1:15AM0.38m
1:21PM0.29m
2:04AM0.42m
2:07PM0.36m
3:05AM0.46m
3:07PM0.44m
4:23AM0.48m
4:27PM0.49m
5:50AM0.44m
5:57PM0.47m
7:07AM0.36m
7:17PM0.39m
8:09AM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:19
5:20
 mm
1
1
2
1
1
Temp °C
21
20
22
22
18
19
17
18
19
17
15
16
14
15
16
16
18
20
17
17
16
Feels °C
16
17
19
18
13
16
18
12
12
15
11
11
10
15
13
11
14
18
14
6
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SE
11
0.9
SE
11
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.4
SW
13
1.6
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
18
3
SSW
12
3
SSW
12
0.2
E
10
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
14
3
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.2
S
12
1.8
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
12
2.2
ESE
8
1.6
SE
8
Energy kJ
273
166
463
437
604
798
718
904
126
2589
2205
8
4996
3949
3139
2199
1459
918
530
575
372
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
WSW
9
0.7
SW
12
0.9
SE
10
0.6
SE
10
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
NE
8
0.2
ENE
7
0.2
E
10
0.1
NE
8
0.3
E
14
0.3
E
13
0.2
ENE
9
1.6
ESE
7
1.3
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
Energy kJ
53
154
157
82
44
44
45
26
15
5
8
2
37
31
8
233
416
373
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
7
0.5
SE
10
0.5
SE
10
0.4
ESE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
ESE
9
0.1
NE
7
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
13
0.9
SSE
8
1.2
E
8
1.1
E
8
Energy kJ
101
20
16
19
49
48
35
22
8
8
2
9
8
7
104
195
173
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
3
0.9
WSW
4
0.8
SW
5
0.7
WSW
3
2.3
SW
13
3
SW
12
3
SSW
13
1
E
5
1.1
E
5
2.3
SE
8
Energy kJ
4
25
26
10
1751
2451
3078
42
70
622
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
Distance (km)
0
0
16
0
123
0
4
124
329
0
167
190
0
0
386
115
161
0
0
137
329
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South)
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
6
5
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
5
6
5
8
5
5
8
6
5
5
  • 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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