
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 3 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 3 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, SW swell with 3,786 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with SW 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 Friday (Jul 03) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 3.0m and 10s 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 03) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s have a look at what Riet River’s got cookin’ for us over the next couple of weeks. This is a solid little point break that really needs the right direction to fire, and with the swell coming in from the SSE and SE early on, it’s gonna be a bit out of sync at first. But don’t you worry, the consistency picks up, and there are some absolute gems in the mix if you time it right.
We kick things off on this Friday, the 3rd of July. It’s not the perfect direction—swell’s coming from the SSE, not the ideal SSW—but with a 8ft swell and a period of 11 seconds, there’s plenty of energy in the water (4574). The wind’s offshore from the W at 12 mph, so expect clean, lined-up waves. This is proper experienced surfer territory at that size, but the point will be handling it nicely. The afternoon cleans up even more with a 10ft SE swell and 12-second period, wind shifting to a light cross-off. The energy’s still pumping (3118). If you’re an experienced crew, this is your window.
Saturday the 4th keeps the good times rolling. Morning sees a 8ft SE swell with 12 seconds, offshore wind from the W at 9 mph, and the energy’s still strong (2052). Clean, punchy waves on offer. The afternoon drops a touch to 7ft, but it’s still clean with cross-off wind. Solid intermediate-to-advanced stuff.
Sunday the 5th sees the swell drop off to 5ft and the wind turns onshore, so the quality drops away. This is where things go a bit quiet for a few days. There’s a bit of a gap here: Monday the 6th has a tiny 4ft glassy morning, but the energy is low (552). It’s not really worth getting excited about until we hit Thursday the 9th.
Now, Thursday the 9th is a true standout. The morning brings a 10ft SSW swell with a 14-second period—that’s proper groundswell, and the direction is right in the sweet spot for Riet River. The wind is glassy, absolute zero, dead calm. The energy readings are huge (3262). The waves will be clean, powerful, and a little bit tricky with that long period—it’ll be holding up and maybe a bit walled at the point, but for experienced surfers, this is about as good as it gets. The afternoon stays big, but the wind flicks onshore, so hit it early.
Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th are pretty much write-offs with strong onshore wind and rain. Swell’s still around, but the wind’s ruining it. Sunday the 12th is a blown-out mess—10ft from the S with a 16-second period, but 25-31 mph onshore wind. That’s not paddle surfing, that’s kite boarding weather.
We get a reprieve on Tuesday the 14th. Swell’s tiny, only 2ft, but the wind is offshore from the WNW, and it’s clean. Not worth a trip on its own.
Then, here’s the big one in the second week—Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th. Wednesday morning brings a 10ft SW swell, 11-second period, with a strong offshore wind from the W at 28 mph. The water’s clean as a whistle, but that wind is blowing hard—it’ll be tough to paddle into, and the waves will be a bit lumpy from the strength. Still, for the brave, it’s a feast. Thursday the 16th morning pushes it even bigger—13ft SW swell with a 13-second period, offshore wind again at 25 mph. The energy is monstrous (5023). This is expert only, and even then, you’ll be earning every wave.
Friday the 17th is still solid with a 10ft SSW swell and 15-second period, light cross-off wind. Clean and powerful, but that long period might make it a bit straight at the point. Still, a good option for those in the know.
Overall, the standouts here are Thursday the 9th morning for the glassy perfection, and Thursday the 16th morning for the pure power if you’ve got the nerve. Crowds are possible here—it says “sometimes” busy, so expect a few locals out on the good days. The water temp is not flagged as unusual, so it’s about average for this time of year.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun night, min 17°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thu 9 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4721 | 1835 | 2646 | 2904 | 1801 | 1271 | 855 | 633 | 445 | 303 | 392 | 614 | 614 | 646 | 597 | 539 | 794 | 1584 | 2493 | 3253 | 2895 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:25AM1.43m | 5:55PM1.45m | 5:57AM1.39m | 6:29PM1.44m | 6:31AM1.34m | 7:05PM1.42m | 7:11AM1.27m | 7:47PM1.38m | 7:59AM1.19m | 8:39PM1.34m | 9:03AM1.11m | 9:47PM1.30m | 10:28AM1.07m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:23PM0.30m | 11:38AM0.16m | 11:57PM0.32m | 12:09PM0.19m | 00:34AM0.34m | 12:43PM0.23m | 1:15AM0.38m | 1:21PM0.29m | 2:04AM0.42m | 2:07PM0.36m | 3:05AM0.46m | 3:07PM0.44m | 4:23AM0.48m | 4:27PM0.49m | |||||||
— | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | |
5:15 | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 5 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
116 | 1835 | 2646 | 2904 | 1801 | 1271 | 855 | 633 | 445 | 303 | 392 | 614 | 614 | 646 | 597 | 539 | 794 | 557 | 2493 | 3253 | 2895 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
— | 1028 | 459 | 104 | 217 | 217 | 150 | 53 | 71 | 53 | 160 | 148 | 77 | 65 | 113 | 65 | 37 | 30 | 469 | 16 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 8 | SSW 19 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SW 20 | SW 19 | ENE 8 | SE 15 | SE 15 |
— | 15 | 13 | 65 | 34 | 28 | 41 | 123 | 82 | 101 | 21 | 15 | 21 | 46 | 23 | 22 | 98 | 90 | 13 | 9 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | — | WSW 4 | SW 12 | — | — | — |
4721 | 1696 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 25 | — | 10 | 1584 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 126 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 332 | 137 | 0 | 167 |
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.











