Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 4,944 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s 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 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk in feet and miles per hour now. The start is slow, but there’s a day to circle on the calendar. Riet River is our only break in the outlook – a point that doesn’t always fire, but when it does, it’s a beauty. The water is running about 63°, which is a solid 4° colder than normal – it’s a proper cold one, so don’t skimp on the rubber.
Friday the 21st is a washout: waves around 6ft from the SSW, but a cross-onshore breeze messing up the surface. Not worth it. Saturday the 22nd has cleaner looks but brutal 28 mph winds, making it tough even though the swell pushes to nearly 10ft Sunday the 23rd gets better in the afternoon with a light cross-off breeze and 7–7ft swell from the SSW at an 11-second period – surfable and smooth.
The big standout is Tuesday the 25th, morning session. Clean, light offshore wind from the SW at just 6 mph, solid 8ft groundswell from the SSW with a 14-second period – that’s classic point-break juice. Strong wave energy (2397) and the long period will peel beautifully down the point. This is for experienced surfers only – that size is serious. The afternoon holds at 8ft with a light cross-shore breeze – still very good, just not quite the peak.
Wednesday the 26th turns ugly with onshore wind and big lumpy energy (2474–2696) – skip it. Sunday the 30th has massive 13ft SW swell but a near-gale offshore at 37 mph – impossible to paddle into, even though the energy is huge (3704). That’s a kite day, not a paddle day.
The first few days of September are small and clean but nothing special – 4–5ft with light offshore breezes, moderate energy. The 4th throws a curveball with 10ft of short-period ESE swell (8 seconds) and messy cross-shore wind – not the goods. After that, it fades out.
Bottom line: Tuesday the 25th morning is the clear winner. Light wind, long-period SSW groundswell, and the point at Riet River will be offering some of the best waves of the whole run. Don't sleep on it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Mon night, strong winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SSW 11 | SW 7 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 16 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 801 | 737 | 893 | 1546 | 1570 | 988 | 753 | 647 | 604 | 743 | 1177 | 1177 | 2480 | 4944 | 2537 | 2121 | 1214 | 848 | 647 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 3:13PM1.46m | 3:18AM1.48m | 3:39PM1.57m | 3:45AM1.55m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:46AM0.71m | 6:30PM0.73m | 7:31AM0.59m | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.24m | 9:26AM0.10m | 9:44PM0.15m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 801 | 737 | 15 | 6 | 1090 | 988 | 753 | 647 | 604 | 743 | 1177 | 1177 | 2480 | 4944 | 2537 | 2121 | 1214 | 841 | 647 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 6 | — | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | E 9 | WSW 13 | S 16 | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 |
| kJ | 11 | 34 | — | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 536 | 827 | 1025 | 6 | 158 | 1355 | — | 422 | 848 | 553 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 231 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | WSW 3 | SW 7 | SW 12 | SW 11 | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 11 | 12 | 893 | 1546 | 1570 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 173 | 497 | 1181 | 1624 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 125 | 167 | 329 | 126 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 110 | 126 | 61 | 265 | 724 | 329 | 361 | 329 | 16 |
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.
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