
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, S swell with 3,633 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Riet River.
We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but the wind is going to be a real factor. Most of the good stuff is for the experienced surfers, because the swell is going to get meaty.
The water is absolutely freezing right now at 60°, which is nearly 7° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a serious chill, so you’ll want a thick suit and maybe some booties.
The first real chance to get wet is on Thursday the 6th in the morning. The swell is already up to 5 feet from the SSW (14-second period), with a moderate cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is moderate (1039), and it’s clean. A bit of a slow start, but you could get some. The afternoon sees a jump to 10 feet from the same direction, but with a 25 km/h cross-off wind. The energy is very strong (4097). This is getting serious, only for the experts.
Friday the 7th morning is the first real standout. The wind goes super light from the S at just 3 mph, creating clean, cross-off conditions. The swell is a solid 7 feet from the SSW (12 seconds), with strong energy (1277). This is excellent for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and well-shaped. The afternoon turns onshore, so make the dawn patrol.
Sunday the 9th morning is another winner. We’ve got a proper offshore wind from the WNW at 9 mph, grooming the 10-foot SSW swell (13 seconds). The energy is very strong (3478). This is going to be a ripper, but again, it’s big – only for the experts. The afternoon wind swings onshore and gets strong, so it’s a morning mission.
After that, the wind goes to absolute rubbish from the 10th through the 14th. There’s plenty of swell, but strong onshore and cross-onshore winds are going to make it a churned-up mess. The energy remains high, but it’s not worth the paddle. You’d be better off with a kite.
Things calm down, but the swell drops right off. There’s a small window on Sunday the 16th morning. The wind goes glassy out of the S at 3 mph, and a 5-foot short-period swell (8 seconds) rolls in. The energy is weak (389), but it’ll be clean and fun for a longboarder or a beginner. The weekend after that is pretty flat and ordinary until…
Looking further out, we’ve got a big pulse on the horizon. Tuesday the 18th afternoon sees a massive 13-foot swell from the SSW (13 seconds), with crazy strong energy (5094). The wind is onshore, making it tricky, but the power is there. Then Wednesday the 19th morning looks promising with a light offshore wind from the W tidying up a 7-foot SSW swell (11 seconds) and moderate energy (1042). That’s a worthwhile long-range gamble.
So, for the best on offer: Friday the 7th morning is the pick for the experienced, and Sunday the 9th morning is a close second for the brave. If you’re a beginner, wait for the glassy Sunday the 16th morning.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, light winds from the S by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat night, near gales from the SSE by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
236 | 1139 | 908 | 2695 | 1434 | 1277 | 1200 | 1811 | 1601 | 1222 | 1623 | 3478 | 2460 | 3092 | 1569 | 906 | 1731 | 1510 | 1272 | 924 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 7:53PM1.37m | 8:14AM1.12m | 8:57PM1.25m | 9:44AM1.01m | 10:43PM1.17m | 11:58AM1.03m | 00:35AM1.23m | 1:27PM1.18m | 1:47AM1.35m | 2:23PM1.35m | 2:38AM1.47m | 3:07PM1.52m | 3:21AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:16AM0.44m | 2:19PM0.45m | 3:35AM0.53m | 3:48PM0.56m | 5:34AM0.54m | 5:57PM0.56m | 7:11AM0.43m | 7:30PM0.44m | 8:10AM0.28m | 8:29PM0.29m | 8:55AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.16m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 29 | 26 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 25 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
268 | 1139 | 908 | 2695 | 1434 | 1277 | 1200 | 1811 | 1601 | 1222 | 1623 | 117 | 67 | 31 | 1569 | 906 | 1731 | 1510 | 1272 | 754 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | E 10 | SSW 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 15 | E 11 | SSE 8 | SSW 26 |
236 | 214 | 131 | 92 | 89 | 90 | — | — | 159 | 58 | 72 | — | 71 | — | 612 | 439 | 435 | 82 | 190 | 64 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | — | E 10 | — | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SW 11 | E 9 | — | E 10 | — |
110 | — | 149 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | 73 | 506 | 44 | — | 75 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 4 | — | SW 11 | — | — | E 9 | ENE 7 | — | SW 5 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 |
— | 28 | — | 1402 | — | — | 175 | 350 | — | 54 | — | 3478 | 2460 | 3092 | — | 319 | 467 | 929 | 722 | 924 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 123 | 123 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 369 | 16 | 110 | 167 | 0 | 0 | 137 | 711 | 1701 | 3090 | 287 | 386 | 750 | 386 |
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.











