Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,907 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. 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 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s check what’s brewing for Riet River.
Right now, it’s a mess of onshore wind and junk, so don’t bother for the next couple of days. The first real chance to get wet doesn’t come until Monday afternoon, September 14th. Before that, it’s pretty much a blank – almost two days with nothing worth paddling for.
Monday, September 14th is your window. The afternoon brings a light cross-offshore breeze out of the southwest at just 3 mph, cleaning the surface right up. The swell drops to 3ft from the SSW, with a period of 13 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell that’ll wrap into the point nicely. The combined energy is moderate at 307. This is the standout session – clean, lined-up waves, hardly any wind. Riet River is an exposed point break that loves a SSW swell. It’s inconsistent, so expect gaps between sets, but the waves that come through will be worth the wait. Crowds are possible here sometimes.
Tuesday morning, September 15th keeps things tidy. A light offshore from the WSW at 12 mph cleans up a smaller 3ft SSW swell (period 11 seconds). The combined energy is weak at 180, but the conditions will be glassy. Not a big-wave day, but fine for a smaller board or a longboard.
Wednesday morning, September 16th brings a size bump. Swell hits 7ft from the SW, period 10 seconds. Combined energy is strong at 1495. The wind is cross-offshore from the WSW at 12 mph, keeping it clean. This is getting into solid intermediate territory – too big for beginners. The shorter period means it’ll be a bit more sectiony on the point, but there’ll be some heavy ones.
After that, the wind turns onshore and the quality tanks. There’s a cleaner-looking window around September 25th with a cross-offshore breeze and a 6ft swell from the ESE (combined energy 819), but that’s over a week away and the direction isn’t ideal for Riet River’s preferred SSW. Worth a late check, but far from certain.
Best bet: Monday afternoon, September 14th. Clean, glassy, and lined up. That’s the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sun morning, calm by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 293 | 252 | 1907 | 1634 | 1091 | 649 | 427 | 307 | 222 | 160 | 263 | 738 | 990 | 722 | 1583 | 1207 | 1145 | 749 | 492 | 578 | 808 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 6:24AM1.21m | 6:37PM1.21m | 6:51AM1.07m | 7:06PM1.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:25PM0.44m | 00:51AM0.51m | 12:54PM0.59m | 1:34AM0.65m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  |  | | |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | 3 | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 38 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 26 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SE 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 10 | SSW 13 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 293 | 102 | 1907 | 1634 | 1091 | 1968 | 427 | 1999 | 1904 | 1037 | 804 | 738 | 990 | 722 | 642 | 563 | 504 | 749 | 346 | 349 | 808 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | SSW 11 | SE 12 | S 9 | S 10 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 94 | 251 | 6 | 25 | 8 | 649 | — | 307 | 222 | 160 | 263 | 598 | 449 | 443 | 96 | 212 | 163 | 464 | 492 | 578 | 207 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 48 | 252 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 52 | 121 | 505 | 309 | — | — | — | 136 | 100 | 71 | 68 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 170 | 211 | 935 | 1969 | 2223 | 2308 | 1810 | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 1583 | 1207 | 1145 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 161 | 329 | 386 | 386 | 386 | 331 | 123 | 0 | 110 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 123 | 243 | 243 | 167 | 386 | 361 | 517 | 568 | 361 |
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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