Riet River surfForecast / Eastern Cape (S) / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Friday 22 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Riet River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.9° C
(Which is 3.9°C colder than average for this time of year)

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 Friday (May 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s 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 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 29) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (May 26) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 22nd May)4.5ft (1.4m) 7s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 26th May)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 8PM (Fri 29th May)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NE by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Tue morning, calm by Thu morning).

Fri
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
4
1
1
3
3
1
3
4
4
4
4
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)
0.6
S
10
1.4
SW
7
0.7
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SW
12
1.1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
1.1
SW
16
1.2
SW
12
1.8
SSW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1
SW
12
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.3
SSW
18
1.9
SW
16
1.9
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
71
199
188
352
290
236
374
290
551
403
1370
828
471
273
902
668
954
1940
1787
1567
1408
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
25
W
20
WSW
10
SW
10
NW
5
NE
15
E
10
NNE
15
ENE
25
ENE
10
NW
35
WSW
30
WSW
15
WNW
10
E
20
ENE
15
NNE
5
WNW
10
SSW
10
W
15
WSW
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
8:36PM1.24m
8:58AM1.08m
10:00PM1.22m
10:30AM1.04m
11:19PM1.25m
11:50AM1.07m
00:19AM1.30m
12:49PM1.14m
1:06AM1.35m
1:35PM1.21m
1:45AM1.40m
2:12PM1.27m
2:20AM1.43m
Low Tide
2:58AM0.55m
3:12PM0.48m
4:33AM0.56m
4:34PM0.50m
5:53AM0.51m
5:47PM0.48m
6:50AM0.44m
6:43PM0.45m
7:32AM0.36m
7:28PM0.40m
8:07AM0.30m
8:07PM0.36m
8:39AM0.25m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:14
5:14
5:13
5:13
5:13
Temp °C
19
17
19
19
18
19
21
18
20
22
19
19
20
17
18
19
18
22
21
18
18
14
15
16
16
18
19
20
17
18
20
18
14
16
15
18
18
15
22
19
18
17
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
E
7
0.6
E
8
0.7
E
11
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SW
12
1.1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
1.1
SW
16
1.2
SW
12
1.8
SSW
14
1.6
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
7
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.9
SW
16
1.9
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
14
Energy kJ
66
41
119
352
290
236
374
290
551
403
1370
828
471
147
902
668
527
1940
1787
1567
1408
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
10
0.6
E
12
0.7
SSW
15
0.5
E
11
0.7
SSW
6
0.5
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
10
0.9
SSW
14
1.3
ENE
6
0.8
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
7
1
SW
12
0.3
ENE
7
0.3
SSW
20
1.3
SSW
18
0.4
ENE
5
0.3
ENE
5
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
7
Energy kJ
71
98
188
58
34
77
93
88
74
321
125
67
29
273
9
82
954
8
5
13
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
E
12
0.6
SSW
11
0.6
SW
11
0.4
ENE
7
0.5
E
11
0.5
SSW
14
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.5
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.3
ENE
7
0.2
SSE
8
0.3
ENE
6
0.3
SE
10
0.2
SSE
6
0.3
SE
9
0.1
SE
12
Energy kJ
72
87
72
15
56
120
31
31
17
54
35
21
21
9
6
8
16
3
12
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
6
1.4
SW
7
1
SW
6
0.9
SW
6
0.4
NE
3
0.7
ENE
4
1.1
ENE
5
1.6
ENE
6
1
WSW
4
1.8
SW
7
1.4
SW
7
0.7
ENE
4
0.5
SW
4
Energy kJ
116
199
71
61
2
11
48
197
37
287
206
14
6
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
2
2
3
3
5
4
4
4
4
4
Distance (km)
137
0
123
0
0
5
96
5
125
135
0
243
124
0
16
329
16
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South)
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
5
5
4
5
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
6
5
4
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
4
8
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
8
5
6
6
6
9
8
4
5
  • 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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