Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.3°C
2.0° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 5,002 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Tue 8th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 6th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a real look at what’s coming for Riet River. We’re starting off on Thursday the 3rd of September, but don’t bother paddling out yet. There’s a solid 6ft SSW swell hitting with a 12-second period and the combined swell energy is moderate at best (941), but that SE wind at 12 mph is blowing cross-on and making it choppy. Not worth it. It stays poor through Friday and Saturday, with wind either howling or onshore and the waves getting messy. Even Sunday the 6th has a long-period 23-second pulse from the SSW at 4ft in the morning, which sounds fancy, but with a 25 mph ENE wind onshore, it’s blown out. The combined energy jumps up (1747) but you won’t enjoy it.

Now, Tuesday the 8th of September is where it gets a little interesting. Morning glass-off conditions with light S wind at just 3 mph, cross-shore, and a clean 5ft SSW swell with a 13-second groundswell period. The combined energy (635) is weak, but that wind is right. Tide and break consistency might be a question because this spot is known to be inconsistent. Still, if you’re keen, this morning window is your best bet. Crowds are possible here – they come sometimes – but on a Tuesday morning you might have it quiet.

The only real standout I’m seeing is Friday the 18th of September, that’s 15 days out, so keep it on the radar. Morning has a 7ft SSW swell with an 11-second period, combined energy (1408) is moderate-strong. The wind goes glassy – absolutely dead calm, 3 mph from the east – and the report says “glassy” conditions with excellent surf for experienced surfers. That’s the one. Wave height is over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but for the crew that can handle it, this is clean, lined-up Riet River at its best. Just remember, crowds are possible here, and the swell direction from the SSW matches perfectly with this point break’s optimum.

Before that, there are a few days in between where you might scratch an itch. Monday the 14th of September has a 7ft S swell, 13-second period, combined energy (1585), but the wind is a gentle cross-on from the NE at 9 mph. It’s fairly choppy, but if you’re desperate and the tide cooperates, it’s a marginal go.

Water temperature? For Riet River, it’s about average for this time of year – no major anomaly to call out. The combined energy values tell the story: weak when under 100, moderate in the hundreds, and strong when you hit four digits. We see moderate to strong in some of those bigger swells, but wind and quality kill it.

All up – if you want clean waves, aim for Tuesday the 8th morning for a small, clean session, and circle Friday the 18th morning as the standout, though it’s a long way off and forecasts can wobble. The rest of the 16 days is mostly blown out or onshore junk.

Stay salty.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Sun night, light winds from the W by Mon night).

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
SSW
12
1.8
SSW
12
1.2
SW
12
3.5
S
10
2.5
SE
9
3
SSE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.6
SSW
11
1.6
SSW
11
1.6
SSW
10
1.1
SSW
23
2
SSW
20
3
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
13
0.9
S
11
0.8
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1173
874
400
2371
1126
1353
418
541
541
511
1193
3052
4034
1421
1091
711
604
189
169
Wind (km/h)
30
E
20
SE
35
S
45
SSE
35
SE
25
SE
25
E
30
E
30
ENE
30
E
40
ENE
45
ENE
50
ENE
30
ENE
40
ENE
10
NNE
5
S
15
E
5
ENE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
High Tide
6:52AM1.26m
7:19PM1.32m
7:44AM1.10m
8:26PM1.15m
9:34AM0.98m
10:52PM1.07m
12:18PM1.05m
00:48AM1.17m
1:30PM1.24m
1:47AM1.32m
2:15PM1.43m
2:29AM1.45m
Low Tide
00:51AM0.31m
12:55PM0.35m
1:41AM0.46m
1:50PM0.51m
3:08AM0.59m
3:49PM0.65m
5:46AM0.59m
6:29PM0.58m
7:13AM0.43m
7:41PM0.41m
8:01AM0.27m
8:26PM0.24m
light rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:58
 mm
1
2
4
8
1
1
Temp °C
19
21
19
17
17
16
15
16
17
17
18
18
16
21
23
22
24
22
23
Feels °C
18
20
16
14
9
10
9
11
12
13
11
11
8
16
18
21
25
22
22
  • 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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