Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
16.9° C
2.7° 

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 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 19s period, SSW swell with 1,497 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period. 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 1.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 15th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Wed 19th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 5PM (Thu 13th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 19s

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 over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, this is a tough start. We've got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first few days are a write-off with strong, messy winds and lumpy conditions. You won't want to be out there until Saturday the 15th, and even then, it's a marginal call.

The real standout, the one you've been waiting for, looks to be Wednesday the 19th. The swell is going to be pushing 7ft to 8ft from the SSW, which is a solid size, borderline for the less experienced. This is packing some serious energy (1119 to 1365) and the period is decent, meaning proper groundswell. The wind is clean and cross-offshore, so the waves will be holding their shape. This is a point break, so those long period swells are ideal – expect well-formed lines and long rides. If you're an intermediate or better, this is the session to circle on your calendar. You'll also have a chance on Sunday the 23rd, with similar 7ft SSW groundswell and clean offshore winds, though the energy is a touch lower.

Remember, Riet River is an inconsistent spot, so when it fires like this, it's a treat. Crowds are a possibility here, especially on the best days. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Alright, let's get into the day-by-day.

Thursday 13th & Friday 14th: Forget it. Strong cross-onshore winds from the NE and ENE are making a mess of a small, but long period swell. Not worth a look.

Saturday 15th: The morning is the best bet of the weekend. A gentle offshore breeze from the WSW is cleaning up a tiny 2ft SW swell. It's tiny, but clean. The afternoon turns onshore, so get it early. (Energy: 211)

Sunday 16th & Monday 17th: Small and choppy Sunday. Monday has a slight chance with a clean 3ft to 3ft SW swell, but the winds are mixed. It's marginal.

Tuesday 18th: Swell bumps up to 4ft from the SW with clean winds. The energy is moderate (794 in the morning), but the forecast is still just marginal.

Wednesday 19th: This is it. The best day of the forecast. Solid 7ft to 8ft SSW groundswell with a 12-second period. The wind stays clean and cross-offshore all day. This is big, powerful, and well-shaped. This is for experienced surfers. (Energy: 1119 - 1365)

Thursday 20th: The swell drops back to 6ft to 6ft, but the wind swings onshore from the E. Conditions will be poor.

Friday 21st: A return to strong, messy cross-onshore winds. Avoid.

Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd: Another good window. The morning of the 22nd is clean with a 3ft SSW swell. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft from the SW but with a short 8-second period – that's a lot of chop. Sunday 23rd is the second standout. Clean, cross-offshore winds again, with a consistent 7ft SSW groundswell and a better 13-second period. Quality waves. (Energy: 1387)

Monday 24th onwards: The swell fades. We're back to onshore winds and small, weak surf. The energy drops right off (92 on the 26th) and the winds turn messy. The last day with any real promise is Friday the 28th, where a 4ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period shows up, but the wind is light and cross-on. It's a long-range hope, not a certainty.

So, to sum it up: get through the first few days, and you've got Wednesday the 19th as the big, clean standout, followed closely by Sunday the 23rd. The rest is a mix of marginal conditions and flat spells.

Stay frothing,
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, light winds from the S by Sat afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Sun night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
19
1.1
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.7
SW
12
0.8
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
1.1
SW
11
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
13
1.8
SW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
721
818
1497
725
436
302
211
208
183
138
122
122
148
251
295
258
367
386
378
Wind (km/h)
35
NE
35
NE
40
ENE
25
NE
15
NE
20
ENE
15
NNE
15
WSW
10
ESE
15
NE
15
NNE
15
ENE
25
WSW
15
SW
10
SSE
5
NNE
25
WSW
30
SW
30
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
3:59AM1.62m
4:23PM1.73m
4:34AM1.62m
4:57PM1.75m
5:08AM1.58m
5:30PM1.71m
5:39AM1.51m
6:01PM1.62m
6:09AM1.41m
6:30PM1.50m
6:38AM1.29m
6:59PM1.36m
Low Tide
9:56PM0.07m
10:08AM-0.04m
10:33PM0.04m
10:41AM-0.05m
11:07PM0.05m
11:12AM-0.02m
11:40PM0.10m
11:42AM0.06m
00:10AM0.19m
12:11PM0.17m
00:40AM0.30m
12:39PM0.30m
1:10AM0.42m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
 mm
Temp °C
17
17
20
16
22
25
22
20
22
21
26
29
25
17
18
17
17
18
16
Feels °C
9
9
12
9
18
21
19
18
22
18
21
25
24
16
17
17
14
14
12
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  • 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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