Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 5,298 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 9s 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2PM. 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at what’s shaping up for Riet River over the next couple of weeks. The water is sitting at 65°F, which is about 2°F cooler than usual for this time of year – feels a bit nippy, so maybe grab the steamer.
The first few days are pretty ordinary. Thursday 27th August is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, poor surf – not worth paddling out. Friday 28th August morning brings a bit of hope: light cross-offshore winds from the NNW and a clean 4ft S swell at 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (613), and the conditions are clean, making it a decent option for a session if you’re keen. Friday afternoon and Saturday fade quickly with marginal or poor surf.
Sunday 30th August is a dud – light rain and messy waves. Nothing to get excited about.
Now, Monday 31st August morning is the first real standout. We’ve got clear skies, a moderate offshore wind from the WSW, and a clean 5ft SW swell at 12 seconds. The energy is solid (709), and the surf is expected to be very good. This is the pick of the first week – a proper point break session with shape and power.
Tuesday 1st September morning has a light cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft SW swell, but the energy is lower (402). The afternoon is better: a 6ft SSW swell at 12 seconds with light cross-offshore winds and a clean 816 energy. Good surf conditions, but not quite as strong as Monday.
Wednesday 2nd September morning throws up a big 10ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, with an onshore easterly breeze. The energy is massive (3878), but the onshore wind makes it marginal and messy. This is big, raw power – only for the experienced crew, and even then, the wind might ruin it. The afternoon is a no-go.
Thursday 3rd September through to Saturday 5th September is a classic Cape storm pattern: strong winds, rain, and huge swell. Thursday afternoon sees a massive 18ft S swell at 11 seconds, with energy at 7215 – that’s serious. But the wind is howling, and the conditions are marginal. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. The same goes for Friday and Saturday: big, raw swells with cross-offshore winds, but heavy rain and messy surf.
Sunday 6th September morning is a gem. Glassy conditions with zero wind, a clean 7ft ESE swell at 12 seconds, and energy at 2375. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the wave quality will be pristine, and the long period means the sets will have punch. This is the standout of the whole outlook, but it’s a week away, so keep an eye on the forecast.
The second week goes quiet. Monday 7th September morning has a 5ft ESE swell, but cross-onshore winds make it choppy. From Tuesday 8th September through to Thursday 10th September, the swell drops away to tiny, weak waves – nothing worth chasing. The energy dips below 100, and the surf is poor.
Then Friday 11th September morning brings a surprise: a 7ft SW swell at 7 seconds, with light offshore winds and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (718), and the surf should be very good. The short period means the waves will be steeper and more fun on the point. The afternoon jumps to 10ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, with gentle cross-shore winds and massive energy (3084). This is a late-blooming standout for the second week – big, powerful, and clean, but only for the experienced.
Bottom line: Monday 31st August morning is the first call, and Sunday 6th September morning is the best on offer. If you’re patient, Friday 11th September afternoon is a big-wave option. Keep the wetsuit handy and the eyes on the sky.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 33°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Thu morning, light winds from the NNE by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 7 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1379 | 1083 | 746 | 456 | 350 | 418 | 248 | 157 | 61 | 158 | 560 | 287 | 533 | 756 | 178 | 593 | 902 | 977 | 5163 | 4766 | 2946 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:39PM1.57m | 3:45AM1.55m | 4:05PM1.66m | 4:13AM1.59m | 4:32PM1.71m | 4:41AM1.59m | 4:59PM1.72m | 5:10AM1.56m | 5:28PM1.69m | 5:40AM1.50m | 6:00PM1.61m | 6:14AM1.39m | 6:35PM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:26AM0.10m | 9:44PM0.15m | 9:51AM0.03m | 10:11PM0.08m | 10:17AM-0.01m | 10:39PM0.05m | 10:44AM-0.02m | 11:09PM0.05m | 11:13AM0.02m | 11:39PM0.09m | 11:43AM0.09m | 00:13AM0.18m | 12:16PM0.20m | 00:51AM0.31m | |||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Temp °C | 20 | 24 | 23 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 33 | 28 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 20 | 20 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 26 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | ENE 10 | SW 8 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
1379 | 1083 | 746 | 842 | 710 | 671 | 772 | 757 | 628 | 263 | 173 | 287 | 533 | 160 | 178 | 593 | 902 | 977 | 5163 | 4766 | 2946 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SE 10 | SW 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
— | — | 421 | 456 | 350 | 418 | 248 | 157 | 61 | 119 | 83 | 222 | 214 | 4 | 171 | 128 | 98 | 135 | 96 | 70 | 54 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | SSE 10 | — | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 157 | 157 | 22 | 47 | 56 | 57 | 21 | 10 | 161 | 11 | — | 118 | 4 | 14 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 9 | — | WSW 3 | SW 11 | — | NE 2 | ENE 5 | SW 4 | — | — | — |
1080 | 1550 | 1037 | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 147 | 158 | 560 | — | 6 | 756 | — | 1 | 17 | 27 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 135 | 369 | 16 | 5 | 61 | 4 | 5 | 88 | 127 | 329 | 123 | 0 | 123 | 124 | 5 | 0 | 167 | 0 | 123 | 190 | 20 |
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.











