Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.7°C
1.7° 

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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 18s period, S swell with 13,802 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 4.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Tue 1st Sep)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 1st Sep)7ft (2.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sun 6th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a wild ride, so strap in.

The action kicks off with a solid blast of groundswell. We’ve got a standout window on Tuesday, September 1st, bright and early. The water temp is a bit colder than normal at 64°, which is already more than a degree off the average, so you’ll want a good spring suit.

Riet River (point) is the spot to be. That Tuesday morning is glassy as can be with light S wind at 3 mph, and a clean 5ft SW swell pushing in with a 12-second period. The water’s going to look like a mirror, the energy is moderate (662), and conditions will be top shelf. The optimum direction is SSW, so that SW swell is working well.

Later that day, Tuesday afternoon, the wind swings SE and crosses on, the swell bumps to 6ft, but it gets a bit more ordinary. Not the pick.

Now, here’s where it gets serious. Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is the real highlight. We’re talking a 8ft SSW groundswell with a pumping 13-second period, and a cross-off wind from the SSW at 6 mph. The wave energy is strong (2369) – you’ll feel that push. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Anything over 8ft is expert territory, so if you’re not confident, sit this one out. The sets will be clean and lined up.

Thursday morning, September 3rd, drops back to a 6ft SSW swell with clean cross-off winds, but the energy is moderate (941). Good, but not the standout.

Then folks, it turns to custard. From Thursday afternoon right through until the end of the first week, and into the second, we are looking at a long dry spell. The wind goes onshore, the swell gets messy, or the period drops off. There is a huge stretch of days with poor to marginal surf. A couple of times the swell gets big, like Sunday afternoon, September 6th, with a 13ft S swell at a 19-second period – that’s a monster groundswell – but the wind is howling onshore at 19 mph, so it’s a washing machine. Kite surfers might have a field day there, but for paddle surfing? No thanks.

There is a tiny flicker on Wednesday morning, September 9th, with a tiny 1ft clean wave, but that’s about it for almost two weeks.

Now, looking way out to the end of the forecast, there’s a promising shift. On Wednesday, September 16th, the wind goes totally glassy in the morning – 0 mph – and then cross-off in the afternoon. A 5ft SSW swell with a 12-second pulse comes through. The energy is moderate (613 and 824). It’s far out, so less certain, but if that glassy morning holds, that will be a beautiful, clean session at Riet River.

So, the standouts are Tuesday morning, September 1st, for the clean and easy fun, and Wednesday morning, September 2nd, for the bigger, more powerful, expert-level waves. Everything else in between is a write-off until that last day.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Thu afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
4
3
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
12
1.9
SSW
12
2.4
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2.3
SSW
13
2
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.3
SW
12
4.5
S
10
3.5
SSE
9
2.4
SE
8
1.9
SE
8
1.7
ESE
7
1.5
SSW
11
1.4
SSW
10
1.4
SSW
14
4
S
19
3.5
S
16
2.4
S
14
2
S
13
1.1
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
660
988
1979
2369
1859
1236
835
455
3555
1757
771
458
327
505
404
765
12949
6504
2229
1329
331
Wind (km/h)
5
S
10
SE
20
WSW
10
SSW
15
ESE
25
E
15
SW
45
S
45
SE
30
SE
30
ESE
25
E
25
ENE
25
E
15
ESE
20
ESE
30
E
35
ENE
45
NE
50
ENE
20
NE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
6:00PM1.61m
6:14AM1.39m
6:35PM1.48m
6:52AM1.26m
7:19PM1.32m
7:44AM1.10m
8:26PM1.15m
9:34AM0.98m
10:52PM1.07m
12:18PM1.05m
00:48AM1.17m
1:30PM1.24m
1:47AM1.32m
Low Tide
11:43AM0.09m
00:13AM0.18m
12:16PM0.20m
00:51AM0.31m
12:55PM0.35m
1:41AM0.46m
1:50PM0.51m
3:08AM0.59m
3:49PM0.65m
5:46AM0.59m
6:29PM0.58m
7:13AM0.43m
7:41PM0.41m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:28
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
 mm
1
2
17
3
Temp °C
17
18
17
17
17
19
20
20
17
17
16
16
18
18
17
17
18
17
18
20
21
Feels °C
17
17
19
16
15
16
22
20
10
10
9
10
13
13
14
13
13
10
10
12
18
  • 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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