
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,440 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s talk about this stretch at Riet River. This is a classic point break that needs a solid SSW swell to light up, and when it gets it, it can be something special. It’s a spot that’s inconsistent, so you have to be patient, but when it’s on, it’s worth the wait. The water is sitting at 63°, which is a good 5° colder than usual for this time of year, so that’s a proper winter chill you’ll feel.
The first real action is Thursday, July 9th. We’re looking at a solid 10-foot SSW swell rolling in with a 12-second period, packing a whopping 2735 combined energy. That’s a lot of power. The wind is offshore in the morning, but it’s a strong 16 mph, which will keep it clean but be ready for a bit of a battle. This is a big, powerful wave for experienced surfers only. The afternoon stays clean but the wind goes cross-off, so it’s still rideable.
Friday, July 10th, is the standout. The swell is still a meaty 10-foot from the SSW, but the period has stretched to 13 seconds, giving it even more grunt. The combined energy is a massive 3521. And the wind? Offshore all morning at 12 mph. This is the best on offer: big, clean, powerful point-break waves. It’s a serious session for the experienced crew only. The afternoon eases off a bit with lighter wind, still cross-off at 9 mph, but the swell is still solid.
Saturday, July 11th, the wind turns onshore from the ESE, and the swell drops to 8 feet. The combined energy is still good at 1993, but the onshore wind is going to chop it up. It’s not a total write-off, but it’s not the day to call in sick.
From Sunday, July 12th, through to Tuesday, July 14th, the surf drops off significantly. The swell fades down to 4 feet or less, and the wind is consistently cross-onshore, making for choppy, lumpy conditions. There’s not much to get excited about here.
Then things get interesting again on Thursday, July 16th. A new 10-foot SW swell arrives with a shorter 9-second period, but it’s packing 1900 energy. The wind is fresh offshore from the west at 22 mph, so it’s clean but wild. The afternoon is a bit more manageable with a cross-off wind, but still big and powerful. This is another one for the experts.
Friday, July 17th, the wind swings onshore again, and the swell drops to 7 feet, but it’s a messy onshore wind, so it’s a pass.
Wait for it… Tuesday, July 21st, is the real sleeper. The afternoon brings a 6-foot SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, and the combined energy is 1470. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSW at only 3 mph, making for glassy, clean conditions. That long-period groundswell is going to wrap perfectly around the point, giving some long, clean lines. This is the second standout session, and it’s a proper point-break day.
The following days, Wednesday and Thursday, July 22nd and 23rd, have some smaller 5-foot to 5-foot waves, but the wind is a bit mixed. Wednesday afternoon looks clean with light offshore winds, so it’s a good option for a mellow session.
Finally, Friday, July 24th, is a beautiful little day. The swell drops to 3 feet, but the wind is dead calm, glassy as a lake. The combined energy is only 326, so it’s small, but it’s perfect for a longboard or a fun log. The afternoon is the same, glassy and clean. A nice way to end the week.
So, for the best waves, set your sights on Friday, July 10th, for the big, powerful, clean SSW swell, and Tuesday, July 21st, for the long-period groundswell in glassy conditions. Both are for experienced surfers, but they’ll be the ones you remember.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu morning, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | ESE 8 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2721 | 2983 | 4440 | 3521 | 2955 | 2329 | 1993 | 1783 | 1388 | 729 | 544 | 545 | 343 | 337 | 133 | 234 | 80 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 36 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:28AM1.07m | 11:10PM1.29m | 12:03PM1.10m | 00:33AM1.34m | 1:20PM1.20m | 1:42AM1.42m | 2:21PM1.33m | 2:38AM1.51m | 3:12PM1.46m | 3:27AM1.58m | 3:58PM1.56m | 4:12AM1.61m | 4:41PM1.63m | 4:53AM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:27PM0.49m | 5:50AM0.44m | 5:57PM0.47m | 7:07AM0.36m | 7:17PM0.39m | 8:09AM0.25m | 8:22PM0.28m | 9:00AM0.14m | 9:16PM0.18m | 9:44AM0.06m | 10:04PM0.12m | 10:26AM0.01m | 10:49PM0.10m | ||||||||
7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
8 | 2983 | 4440 | 3521 | 2955 | 2329 | 1993 | 1783 | 1388 | 729 | 544 | 545 | 238 | 453 | 287 | 234 | 368 | 493 | 453 | 512 | 400 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 10 | E 14 | E 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 6 | W 11 | S 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | ENE 8 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
3 | 8 | 37 | 31 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 97 | 2 | 63 | 343 | 337 | 133 | 67 | 80 | 21 | 38 | 38 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 16 | SE 15 | — | — | SE 13 | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | SW 16 | E 10 | S 13 | SW 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 12 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 |
11 | 9 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 56 | 8 | 100 | 89 | 47 | 36 | 14 | 13 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 5 |
2721 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | 408 | 170 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 79 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 190 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 135 | 135 | 96 | 243 | 304 | 96 | 125 | 161 | 5 | 96 | 369 | 16 | 4 | 167 | 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.










