Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SW swell with 3,168 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 (Jul 14) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down the Riet River forecast. It starts slow but has some huge moments for the experienced surfer.
Water is sitting at 63°, which is a good 5° colder than the norm for this time of year. You’ll need the thick rubber.
Don’t bother paddling out Tuesday the 14th or Wednesday the 15th. We’re looking at ankle to knee-high slop. Not worth the drive.
Thursday morning the 16th is when it lights up. Swell jumps to 7ft out of the SSW with a very long period of 14 seconds – groundswell energy is massive (1829). The wind is glassy, dead calm. It will be pristine. This is a point break, so that long-period energy will wrap in nicely. Too big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is a standout session.
Friday the 17th keeps the momentum. Morning brings 6ft of SW swell, long period (13 seconds), and offshore wind (1112). Afternoon gets up to 10ft – big. Expert territory, but the quality is superb (3893).
Saturday the 18th is a total mess with strong onshore winds. Sunday the 19th cleans up but the waves are small and average.
Second week starts with a bang Monday the 20th – 10ft of SW swell – but it's blown out by onshore wind (2426). Wednesday the 22nd is another proper standout: 7ft from the SSW, a super-long 14-second period (1987), and offshore wind. Clean as a whistle.
The last part of the month – from Thursday the 23rd through Monday the 27th – is rough. Strong onshore and cross-onshore winds chop everything up. There is huge swell – 13ft on Friday the 24th – but it’s blown out (4550). The weekend of the 25th-26th is the same: big, messy, and lumpy. Better for the kite surfers.
The final good call is Tuesday the 28th: 6ft of SSW groundswell (13 seconds) with glassy conditions (1468).
Best Surfs: Thursday morning the 16th and Wednesday morning the 22nd.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 90 | 67 | 67 | 37 | 106 | 804 | 1824 | 1380 | 878 | 1112 | 2124 | 1121 | 1392 | 1392 | 894 | 561 | 427 | 2758 | 2330 | 1981 | 1340 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:58PM1.56m | 4:12AM1.61m | 4:41PM1.63m | 4:53AM1.59m | 5:22PM1.66m | 5:32AM1.54m | 6:01PM1.63m | 6:10AM1.45m | 6:40PM1.56m | 6:47AM1.34m | 7:18PM1.46m | 7:25AM1.23m | 7:58PM1.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:44AM0.06m | 10:04PM0.12m | 10:26AM0.01m | 10:49PM0.10m | 11:04AM-0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.18m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:51AM0.27m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:31AM0.37m | 1:28PM0.33m | 2:13AM0.48m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 442 | 544 | 511 | 434 | 400 | 804 | 1824 | 1380 | 878 | 1112 | 1769 | 1121 | 1392 | 1392 | 894 | 561 | 427 | 160 | 46 | 1981 | 1340 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | S 13 | SW 10 | SW 10 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 90 | 67 | 67 | 37 | 39 | 296 | 396 | 332 | 274 | 202 | 161 | 222 | 177 | 79 | 278 | 109 | 103 | 29 | 50 | 47 | 51 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 17 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | — | — | E 10 | — | SW 15 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SE 13 | — | E 10 | SE 9 | E 10 |
| kJ | 28 | 15 | 14 | 23 | 9 | 195 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 125 | — | 37 | 30 | 130 | 62 | — | 17 | 13 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | SW 12 | — | E 10 | E 6 | ENE 7 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 10 | SW 11 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 23 | 106 | — | — | — | — | 64 | 2124 | — | 318 | 183 | 348 | 10 | 345 | 2758 | 2330 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 329 | 142 | 0 | 123 | 123 | 0 | 111 | 332 | 0 |
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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