Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
15.2°C
4.1° 

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 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, SW swell with 1,828 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s 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 (Sep 10) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 10th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 10th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Most Powerful11AM (Wed 16th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Riet River for the next couple of weeks.

Imperial Units

Alright, let’s be straight up – Riet River is the only game in town across this whole 16-day stretch, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. For a point break that gets pretty inconsistent, we’ve got some windows, but you’re going to have to be patient. The first few days are a write-off.

We kick off on Friday the 11th with a small 5ft SW swell, but it’s got a 13-second period. The issue is the wind – a cross-onshore breeze is spoiling it, making things marginal at best. Saturday the 12th is worse: onshore winds strengthen to 19 mph, and the wave quality drops to nothing. Sunday the 13th looks like a complete mess with strong onshores and rain. We’re seeing a combined swell energy of 1457, so there’s power, but it’s all blown out.

We get a small break in the weather on Tuesday the 15th. The morning is the first sign of hope: a cross-offshore wind with a 4ft SW swell. It’s still on the small side, but the wind is clean, giving the waves some shape. The combined energy is 319, so it’s weak, but it’s surfable.

Now, the real standout for the whole forecast is the morning of Saturday the 19th. Glassy conditions. Absolutely calm. A 4ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is 464 – not huge, but that clean, glassy surface is going to make it look like a million bucks. This is the pick of the entire period. The swell direction from the SSW is right on the money for this point break. Expect the crowds to be an issue though, as it’s described as “sometimes” busy, and on a perfect morning like this, everyone will be out.

After that, Sunday the 20th morning brings a bigger 8ft SSW groundswell with a glorious 17-second period. That’s a lot of energy – 3360 – and it’s blowing a clean cross-offshore breeze. This one’s a solid call for experienced surfers only; at over 8ft it’s pushing into expert territory. The long period means it’ll be powerful and walled up on the point, with long lulls between sets.

After the 20th, the consistency drops off again. The 21st is onshore and messy. The 22nd has a near-gale blowing, making it impossible to paddle into anything. Wednesday the 23rd has some rain showers and a messy 7ft swell with a crappy 7-second period – total mush. The final chances come on the 24th and 25th, but the winds are either cross-off and clean but tiny, or onshore and blown out. The 24th afternoon has a tiny 3ft swell but a 16-second period – that’s a long wait for a small wave.

So, to cut it short: if you’re a beginner, forget the 20th – that’s too big. But next Saturday morning, the 19th, and Sunday morning, the 20th, are your best bets. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri morning, strong winds from the E by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed morning).

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SSW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
12
1
SSW
11
0.8
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
17
1.7
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
1.1
SW
11
1.2
SW
10
0.8
SSW
18
2.5
SW
11
2.3
SSW
10
2.3
SSW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
947
613
464
361
265
256
1714
1455
1091
649
396
312
222
308
308
352
1828
1045
791
Wind (km/h)
20
W
10
SSE
15
E
25
E
25
ENE
30
E
40
E
40
E
35
E
30
NE
20
ENE
10
N
25
WSW
15
WSW
10
SSE
15
W
35
WSW
25
SSW
5
S
Wind State
off
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
3:38AM1.60m
3:57PM1.77m
4:09AM1.62m
4:27PM1.77m
4:39AM1.59m
4:55PM1.71m
5:07AM1.53m
5:22PM1.62m
5:33AM1.44m
5:47PM1.49m
5:59AM1.33m
6:12PM1.35m
Low Tide
9:37PM0.03m
9:42AM-0.03m
10:08PM-0.00m
10:12AM-0.04m
10:37PM0.01m
10:40AM-0.00m
11:05PM0.06m
11:07AM0.07m
11:31PM0.14m
11:33AM0.18m
11:56PM0.25m
11:59AM0.30m
00:22AM0.38m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
 mm
1
1
1
4
2
4
1
1
2
Temp °C
19
19
19
18
20
20
19
18
19
20
21
21
20
22
22
19
16
16
15
Feels °C
18
18
18
15
18
17
15
12
15
18
20
23
20
19
19
18
10
10
11
  • 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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