Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Issued: 7 am 03 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
18.6° C

1.4°C colder than average for this time of year

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 3 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 3 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 3,731 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 3 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period with SSE 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 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.0m and 10s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Fri 3rd Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Fri 3rd Jul)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 9th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Rusty here again. Let's break down the next couple of weeks in feet, not meters. It's all about Riet River, a point break that likes to keep you guessing. The water's sitting around 66°F, which is a couple of degrees cooler than usual for this time of year – you'll want the thick wetsuit.

Friday July 3rd kicks off with a set of solid, clean waves. The swell is about 8ft, coming from the SSE with 11-second intervals, and the morning wind is a light offshore from the WNW. The wave energy is cooking at 2860. This is heavy, consistent power for the experienced crew. The afternoon cleans up even more with a glassy 5 mph offshore breeze and the swell holding at 10ft and 12-second periods. This is the real deal, but it's serious – not a beginners' wave. Remember, this break is inconsistent, so when it's on, it's a gem.

Saturday the 4th stays high quality. Morning has 8ft of SW groundswell, offshore wind from the W, and the same clean conditions. The afternoon drops to 7ft but stays glassy. A solid run for the skilled surfer.

Sunday the 5th fades. The swell drops to 5ft and the wind goes messy. The energy is down to 840. Still a wave, but only for the die-hards.

From Monday the 6th to Tuesday the 7th, we get small to mid-range options. Swells from 4ft to 5ft with clean conditions, but the energy is moderate (506-777). It's a longboard or groveler situation.

Now, for the real magic. Thursday July 9th is the standout of the first week. The morning delivers a 8ft SSW groundswell with a dreamy 14-second period and glassy winds – the wave energy jumps to 1949. The afternoon gets bigger, hitting 10ft, but the cross-onshore breeze and very long 15-second period might make it a bit top-heavy for the point. A few epic barrels will be there for the patient and the skilled.

Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th get ugly. Strong onshore winds (12-25 mph) from the east pin down the 7ft to 6ft swell. The energy is still there (2361-1271), but the quality is poor for paddling. This looks like a kiter's session.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are a complete washout. Heavy rain, strong winds, and tiny weak swell (down to 2ft with energy of 134). Don't bother.

There's a big gap from the 15th through the morning of the 16th. Howling offshore winds on the 15th (28-34 mph) make it a battle just to paddle, and the swell is weak (3ft, energy 244). You'd be better off waiting.

Thursday July 16th is the absolute champion of the entire 16-day stretch. The morning sees a massive 12ft SW swell with moderate offshore wind – the wave energy is huge at 3563. The afternoon is even better: a rare, clean setup with 13ft SW swell, 12-second periods, and light cross-off winds. Wave energy hits 4950. This is a heavy, expert-only session at Riet River. If you're confident and have the right board, this is the day to circle on the calendar.

The final weekend (17th-18th) still has oversized swell (10ft to 12ft) but the winds are shifting cross and onshore, so it won't be as clean as the 16th.

Bottom line: Riet River offers two main windows – the clean, solid swell around the 9th and the absolute giant, glassy climax on the 16th. The rest is either small, wind-battered, or just for the brave.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
3
4
3
4
4
5
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSE
11
3
SE
12
3
SE
13
2.4
SE
12
2
SE
12
1.8
SE
12
1.5
SE
12
1.3
SE
11
1
SE
11
1.1
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.5
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.8
SSW
14
2.3
SSW
13
2.3
SSW
14
3
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1685
2489
2757
1665
1107
840
594
411
233
346
689
406
667
742
587
551
1240
1820
1949
3406
3306
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
5
WSW
15
WNW
15
W
10
SW
15
N
15
NNE
10
NE
10
NW
5
WSW
5
E
10
N
15
WSW
20
SW
10
WNW
25
WSW
20
WSW
10
WNW
5
SSW
10
SE
15
E
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
High Tide
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
11:10PM1.29m
Low Tide
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:17
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
17
19
18
17
19
17
18
22
21
19
21
19
20
20
17
17
18
16
16
16
16
Feels °C
12
15
15
12
14
14
13
18
17
16
19
16
16
15
16
13
14
14
16
14
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSE
11
3
SE
12
3
SE
13
2.4
SE
12
2
SE
12
1.8
SE
12
1.5
SE
12
1.3
SE
11
1
SE
11
1.1
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.3
SW
11
1.5
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.4
SW
12
1.8
SSW
14
2.3
SSW
13
2.3
SSW
14
3
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
Energy kJ
1685
2489
2757
1665
1107
840
594
411
233
346
689
406
667
742
587
551
1240
1820
1949
3406
3306
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SW
10
1.6
SW
10
0.7
SW
8
1.1
SW
11
1.1
SW
10
1
SW
9
0.8
SW
9
0.6
SW
8
0.6
WSW
9
0.9
SE
10
0.7
SE
10
0.9
SSW
15
0.5
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
8
1
SSW
15
0.4
NE
8
0.3
SSW
16
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.2
ENE
9
Energy kJ
1160
469
70
282
246
170
114
53
53
160
104
305
35
59
46
474
16
50
8
8
8
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SW
19
0.1
SW
18
0.7
SW
10
0.2
SSW
19
0.4
S
10
0.4
SSW
16
0.5
SSW
15
0.4
SSW
14
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
7
0.6
SE
10
0.5
SE
10
0.4
ESE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
ENE
8
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
ENE
8
0.2
ENE
7
0.1
SE
15
0.1
SE
14
Energy kJ
15
13
112
34
29
102
123
82
101
23
26
79
46
35
21
26
8
6
5
8
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
NNE
4
0.3
ENE
4
0.4
WSW
3
0.8
WSW
4
1.6
SW
6
Energy kJ
9
4
4
22
200
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
0
4
5
5
0
0
16
5
0
123
0
0
123
0
0
167
96
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South)
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
8
5
4
5
5
9
6
7
6
9
7
5
6
9
9
9
6
5
6
6
  • 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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