Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,220 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s is also forecast. 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
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 next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of groundswell coming in from the south-southwest. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so wetsuit choice is business as usual. The first proper standout is Friday morning the 21st, with a 7 ft SSW swell clocking in at 12 seconds. That’s a decent groundswell with good energy (1302). The wind is glassy, coming from the SSE at just 3 mph, which is dead calm. The break is a point break, so that long-period energy will wrap in nicely. It’s a spot that’s inconsistent, but when it’s on, it’s a treat. Catch it early.
The rest of the first week is a bit of a mixed bag. Thursday afternoon the 20th has 12 ft SSW swell (energy 4220) but it’s cross-off and there’s a marginal note on the tide. Worth a look if you’re experienced. From Saturday the 22nd through to Monday the 24th, the swell stays around 7 ft, but winds are messy – strong offshore on Saturday with 31 mph WSW, which is near gale force and just about impossible to paddle into. The energy drops into moderate territory (835–1165) through Monday, but the conditions are average.
Now, Tuesday morning the 25th is a real gem. We’ve got 5 ft SSW swell with a very long period of 17 seconds (energy 2600). That’s proper groundswell, and with a light offshore breeze from the west at 6 mph, it’ll be glassy. The point break will handle that long-period energy beautifully. This is the best session of the whole window for experienced surfers. The swell is a touch over 5 ft, so it’s not a beginner wave, but for those who know what they’re doing, it’s magic.
Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are a write-off – fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions. There’s a four-day gap in quality surf from Wednesday the 26th through to Saturday the 29th, with only poor options and strong winds.
The next real standout comes on Sunday morning the 30th of August. Swell is 7 ft from the south at 12 seconds (energy 1446), with a light 3 mph SE wind – just a slight cross-on breeze. The wind state is light, and the wave comment says “marginal but good,” so it’s worth a paddle. The energy is solid.
Looking further ahead, Tuesday the 1st of September brings a big pulse – 13 ft SW swell with energy around 4475. That’s strong wave energy. Winds are cross-off from the NW at 12 mph, so it’ll be clean. This is only for the experts – 13 ft is a serious wave. Wednesday morning the 2nd has a nice 8 ft SSW swell (1269 energy) and light offshore, good for experienced surfers again, but it’s a week and a half out, so treat it as promising but not locked in.
After that, the end of the outlook fades into poor conditions through to the 4th of September.
So, the standout sessions: Friday morning the 21st for clean, glassy fun, and Tuesday morning the 25th for the long-period groundswell at its best. Sunday the 30th is another solid option. Big stuff on the 1st of September for the brave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, near gales from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1547 | 3201 | 4220 | 2230 | 1302 | 1027 | 777 | 1046 | 1020 | 1360 | 1155 | 1074 | 910 | 830 | 549 | 639 | 1350 | 1195 | 1556 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:42AM1.03m | 8:12PM1.07m | 8:49AM0.91m | 10:19PM0.96m | 12:37PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:45PM1.05m | 1:47AM1.15m | 2:19PM1.19m | 2:21AM1.28m | 2:47PM1.33m | 2:51AM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:46AM0.55m | 1:44PM0.59m | 2:45AM0.67m | 2:54PM0.72m | 5:46AM0.71m | 6:30PM0.73m | 7:31AM0.59m | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
5:45 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | ENE 6 | E 7 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 |
77 | 3201 | 4220 | 2230 | 1302 | 1027 | 777 | 41 | 28 | 1106 | 1155 | 1074 | 910 | 830 | 549 | 625 | 1250 | 984 | 1556 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | — | SSW 15 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SE 12 |
77 | 37 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 12 | — | 231 | — | 6 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 333 | 639 | 1350 | 1195 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 |
1547 | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | 1046 | 1020 | 1360 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 123 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 386 | 16 | 328 | 329 | 0 | 123 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 138 |
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.











