
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 3,099 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down Riet River over the next couple of weeks.
It’s a point break that loves a good SSW groundswell, but it’s a bit of a tease. It’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s a gem, but you’ll have to be patient. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a decent spring suit.
The week starts off a bit messy. Monday morning the 3rd of August has a bit of swell – 7 ft from the ESE – but it’s cross-onshore, so it’s going to be jumbled. The energy is there (1279), but it’s not really worth paddling out for. The rest of the first week is a bit of a write-off, with onshore winds and choppy conditions. Tuesday and Wednesday are small and weak, with the swell dropping to under 3 ft and the energy falling away. You’re better off waiting.
Now, the first real standout is Thursday morning, the 6th of August. The swell jumps to a solid 5 ft from the SSW, with a nice 14-second period, pushing the energy up to 1057. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the waves will be clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the 5 ft is a proper size for this point, and the direction is dead on the optimum. It’s not for beginners, but for the intermediates and up, it’s a beauty.
The next one to circle is Friday afternoon, the 7th of August. The swell drops to 5 ft from the SSW, but the period stretches out to a juicy 15 seconds. The wind goes glassy – that’s right, glass – with a 3 mph southerly. That’s as clean as it gets, and the energy is still strong at 1217. This is the session to aim for. The waves will have proper shape, long lines, and the paddle out will be easier between sets.
The following week is a mixed bag. We get a run of cleaner, bigger swells, but the wind isn’t always kind. Saturday morning, the 15th of August is a big one – 8 ft from the SSW, with a 15-second period. That’s a serious SSW groundswell, and the energy is massive at 2813. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. But at 8 ft, this is only for the experts. The point will handle it well, but it’s going to be a handful. Sunday morning, the 16th, is still solid at 6 ft and clean, but the wind is a little lighter, so it’s a good follow-up session.
The very end of the outlook, around the 18th, gets a bit messy again with cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions.
For the best of the best, I’m calling it: Friday afternoon, the 7th of August for the glassy, clean, 5 ft SSW groundswell – a true surfer’s session. And if you’re a hard charger, Saturday morning, the 15th of August for the big, clean 8 ft groundswell, but that’s for the experts only.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | ESE 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
925 | 357 | 260 | 282 | 232 | 174 | 140 | 657 | 1274 | 1057 | 1974 | 1391 | 1163 | 811 | 2212 | 1624 | 1144 | 875 | 2060 | 1789 | 1369 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:31PM1.55m | 6:40AM1.35m | 7:08PM1.47m | 7:21AM1.24m | 7:53PM1.37m | 8:14AM1.12m | 8:57PM1.25m | 9:44AM1.01m | 10:43PM1.17m | 11:58AM1.03m | 00:35AM1.23m | 1:27PM1.18m | 1:47AM1.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:12PM0.13m | 00:43AM0.25m | 12:45PM0.21m | 1:24AM0.33m | 1:25PM0.32m | 2:16AM0.44m | 2:19PM0.45m | 3:35AM0.53m | 3:48PM0.56m | 5:34AM0.54m | 5:57PM0.56m | 7:11AM0.43m | 7:30PM0.44m | ||||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 14 |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 26 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 10 | SW 12 |
925 | 763 | 666 | 450 | 510 | 557 | 363 | 260 | 1274 | 1057 | 1974 | 1391 | 397 | 811 | 2212 | 1624 | 1144 | 875 | 2060 | 94 | 1369 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 17 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | E 10 | — | E 10 |
215 | 357 | 260 | 282 | 232 | 174 | 140 | 657 | 214 | 149 | 118 | 113 | 90 | 326 | 64 | 64 | 44 | 59 | 122 | — | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | S 13 | — | — | S 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | — | SSW 18 | NE 8 | S 6 | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — |
139 | 3 | — | — | 7 | 26 | 123 | 110 | 50 | 24 | — | 180 | 15 | 80 | — | — | 65 | 74 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 6 | E 10 | — | ENE 10 | — | ENE 7 | WSW 4 | SW 5 | — | — | SSW 12 | — | — | ENE 4 | — | SW 5 | — | SW 13 | SSE 7 |
— | — | 111 | 625 | — | 817 | — | 40 | 26 | 22 | — | — | 1163 | — | — | 22 | — | 22 | — | 1789 | 212 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 135 | 16 | 5 | 135 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 123 | 0 | 111 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 133 | 4 | 96 | 127 | 149 | 724 | 517 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











