Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.8°C
1.5° 

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 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 6,370 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s 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 (Sep 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s 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 3.5m 17s 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 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Wed 9th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 12s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 9th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 12s
Most Powerful11PM (Sun 6th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

First thing you need to know: there’s a stretch of pretty ordinary conditions ahead before we get a window of something decent. The wind is a major issue for the first week or so, and the swell is often messy. Hang tight, because there is a moment that might just make it worthwhile.

The first decent chance doesn’t come until Tuesday morning, September 8th. That’s a full week of waiting. Before that, we’ve got a lot of strong, onshore to cross-onshore wind and lumpy, choppy conditions. We see a solid swell on the 3rd and 4th of September, with a S swell around 10ft, but the wind is howling at 22 mph from the SSE, cross-shore, and the combined energy is a massive 1194 (moderate to strong). The water is a bit colder than usual at 64°, with an anomaly of 3°F below average. It’s a mess. That continues through the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th – strong winds, onshore, and poor surf. The 6th even has a very long period groundswell of 22 seconds from the SSW, but the wind is 19 mph from the east, onshore, so it’s blown out. The energy is huge at 2135 to 3886, but it’s useless for paddle surfing.

Now, the standout. Tuesday morning, September 8th at Riet River. This is your moment. The wind goes glassy, NNE at only 3 mph. Absolutely clean. The swell is a modest 4ft from the SSW, with a nice 13-second period, giving it shape and push. The energy is 530 (moderate). The guidance says the optimum swell direction is SSW, so this is a perfect match. The water is still a bit colder than average. Because this break is a point, that long-period groundswell will actually wrap in nicely. It’s an inconsistent spot, but when it’s on, it’s good. The crowds are possible, so don’t expect to be alone. This is the best on offer by a long shot.

After that, the rest of the outlook is slim pickings. The afternoon of the 8th the wind picks up. The 9th has small, clean but weak waves. The 14th of September (Monday) afternoon shows a jump in size again, with an 8ft SSW swell and a 16-second period, cross-off wind from the SW at 13 mph, and energy at 3204 (strong). The conditions are described as marginal, but it’s clean. That’s your second-best option, but it’s a week and a half away and less certain. The 15th and 18th also have some size, but the wind is fresh to strong, making it tough.

If you’re a beginner, the 4ft on the 8th is fine. Anything over 5ft after that, like the 8ft on the 14th, is for more experienced surfers. That 8ft and over is expert territory.

This is a long-range forecast, so the later windows are promising but less certain. For now, set your sights on that Tuesday morning glass-off.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 15°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Thu night, light winds from the E by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon morning, calm by Wed afternoon).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
1
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)
3.5
S
10
2.4
SSW
10
3
SSE
9
2.1
SE
8
1.5
SSW
11
1.6
SSW
11
1.5
SSW
10
1.3
SSW
22
2.1
SSW
20
3
S
16
2.1
S
14
1.8
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.2
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
12
0.6
SW
11
0.6
SSW
14
1.2
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2322
1065
1288
604
494
541
469
1604
3348
4876
1884
1317
787
499
237
180
97
123
384
Wind (km/h)
45
SSE
35
SE
25
SE
25
ENE
25
ENE
25
E
20
E
30
E
35
E
40
ENE
40
ENE
45
ENE
20
NE
10
NNE
20
ENE
15
NE
5
NW
10
ESE
30
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
off
High Tide
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
2:52PM1.60m
3:05AM1.55m
Low Tide
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
8:38AM0.13m
9:04PM0.12m
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:54
5:55
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:58
5:59
 mm
9
2
Temp °C
18
16
16
15
17
17
17
17
17
17
20
22
20
29
28
25
32
32
20
Feels °C
13
9
10
10
13
13
13
13
11
11
13
16
18
28
28
24
31
32
18
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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