Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.5° C
2.4° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 2,598 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s 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 (Jul 11) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 11th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 11th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Fri 17th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Riet River over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid pulse of groundswell pushing in. Saturday the 11th kicks things off with a 8ft SSW swell, period a meaty 12 seconds, and the energy reading is a strong 2181. Morning glass is a bit cross-on, but the afternoon cleans right up to glassy conditions – that’s prime time. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing weird there. This is a proper point break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, giving you well-shaped lines. Don’t expect it to be empty though; crowds are a possibility here.

Sunday the 12th is a write-off. The wind swings easterly and hammers in at 12 to 19 mph, ramping up onshore. The swell drops, conditions get messy, and the score plummets. Monday and Tuesday are flat and weak, with tiny 2ft to 3ft swell and barely any energy (115 to 233). Not worth paddling out for.

Then things get interesting. Wednesday the 15th afternoon, a new SW swell shows up at 8ft, but the wind is howling cross-off at 16 mph. The wave energy is moderate (778). It’s clean, but that wind is strong. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are the real deal for experienced surfers. Thursday morning offers a 7ft SSW swell, period 14 seconds, with offshore wind and a massive energy reading of 1831. Friday morning bumps up to 8ft SW, period 13 seconds, and energy jumps to 3219. The wind is cross-off, but the waves are powerful and clean. This is a heavy, punchy point break, and with swell over 7ft, it’s for experienced surfers only.

The weekend of the 18th and 19th gets blown out again. Strong easterly winds, 22 to 25 mph, make a mess of the 8ft swell. With that kind of wind and a beach/reef setup, this is more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle surf session. The next few days, the 20th through the 22nd, are a mix of weak, choppy cross-on conditions and small swell. Don’t bother.

Now, hold onto your boards. The standout window is the 23rd and 24th. Thursday the 23rd morning is the pick of the entire forecast. A 8ft S swell, period 16 seconds, light offshore wind, and the combined energy is a massive 3667. The conditions are clean, and the report says "excellent surf for experienced surfers." Friday the 24th is a monster. The morning sees a 4ft SSW swell with an incredible 24-second period and energy of 2719 – clean, light wind. The afternoon ramps up to a 10ft SSW swell, 20-second period, and the energy is an absolute beast at 8507. This is a powerful, long-period groundswell that will be cranking at this point.

The final days, the 25th and 26th, still have decent size at 7ft to 8ft, but the wind turns cross-on or onshore, putting a bit of chop on the surface. The energy stays high (2510 to 3232), but the quality drops.

So, to wrap it up: The best on offer is Saturday the 11th afternoon for a clean, glassy session, and the absolute standout is Thursday the 23rd morning and Friday the 24th for heavy, powerful, long-period groundswell. That Friday 24th afternoon is a beast, but it’s a big-wave day for experts only. Keep an eye on the forecast for that week, it’s promising but a long way out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Fri
17
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
2
4
3
2
4
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
12
2.5
SSW
12
2.2
S
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
11
1.3
SSW
11
1.1
SSW
11
1
S
10
0.9
SSW
10
0.7
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
10
0.6
SSW
10
0.4
SW
9
2.3
SW
9
2.3
SW
11
2.2
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
13
1.9
SSW
13
2.3
SW
13
3
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2293
2181
1815
1412
741
544
415
292
225
149
88
67
61
30
742
1167
1831
1699
1162
1806
2388
Wind (km/h)
5
W
5
ENE
5
ENE
5
E
20
E
30
E
20
ENE
15
NE
15
ENE
10
WNW
5
NNE
10
E
10
WNW
20
WSW
25
SW
15
W
25
WSW
25
WSW
25
W
30
WSW
15
S
Wind State
off
cross-on
glassy
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
00:33AM1.34m
1:20PM1.20m
1:42AM1.42m
2:21PM1.33m
2:38AM1.51m
3:12PM1.46m
3:27AM1.58m
3:58PM1.56m
4:12AM1.61m
4:41PM1.63m
4:53AM1.59m
5:22PM1.66m
5:32AM1.54m
6:01PM1.63m
Low Tide
7:07AM0.36m
7:17PM0.39m
8:09AM0.25m
8:22PM0.28m
9:00AM0.14m
9:16PM0.18m
9:44AM0.06m
10:04PM0.12m
10:26AM0.01m
10:49PM0.10m
11:04AM-0.00m
11:31PM0.12m
11:41AM0.03m
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:15
7:15
7:15
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
4
3
4
1
1
Temp °C
15
15
16
16
17
18
16
17
19
18
18
20
18
17
19
16
16
17
15
16
15
Feels °C
13
14
15
14
14
14
11
14
17
18
17
19
17
14
16
14
11
12
11
11
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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