Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 6,056 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Riet River in feet and miles. This point break needs a solid SSW swell to shine, and it’s not always breaking—kind of a moody spot. Crowds can show up when it’s good. Over the next couple of weeks, there’s one day that stands out big time.
Starting Saturday July 18: a clean 4ft S swell, 12-second period, light offshore breeze. Surfable but not memorable. Sunday stays similar with a SW swell and cross-off wind. Monday July 20 morning picks up to 7ft SW, offshore wind, combined energy moderate—getting better.
Tuesday drops to 3ft but with a 15-second period groundswell, though cross-on wind messes it up. Wednesday July 22 morning comes back with 6ft SSW, offshore, clean, energy building. Thursday July 23 morning: 8ft SW, 11-second period, offshore, energy strong—good for experienced surfers.
Now the standout: Friday July 24 morning. Swell is 10ft from the SSW, period a massive 17 seconds—that’s a proper groundswell. Offshore wind, glassy, combined energy through the roof at 6086. This is exceptional wave for experts only. The point will handle that long period nicely. Friday afternoon stays solid but with a cross-off breeze.
Saturday July 25 morning still 10ft but wind turns cross-on, choppy. Afternoon onshore and ugly. Sunday July 26 morning windy but clean with 8ft and 16-second period—too windy for most. Then the week turns poor: onshore winds, messy surf, swell fading from 7ft down to 2ft.
There’s a brief glimmer on Saturday August 1 morning—glassy with 5ft SSW, 11-second period—worth a dawn patrol. After that, small and weak.
So bottom line: Friday July 24 morning is the one to circle. Thursday July 23 morning is also excellent for the experienced. The rest is either average or blown out. Don’t sleep on that Friday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri night, strong winds from the W by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SW 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 664 | 472 | 457 | 652 | 294 | 450 | 2299 | 901 | 579 | 497 | 385 | 845 | 1366 | 1117 | 835 | 1630 | 1510 | 1027 | 1099 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:10AM1.45m | 6:40PM1.56m | 6:47AM1.34m | 7:18PM1.46m | 7:25AM1.23m | 7:58PM1.34m | 8:07AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.22m | 9:04AM1.01m | 9:48PM1.11m | 10:42AM0.94m | 11:28PM1.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.18m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:51AM0.27m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:31AM0.37m | 1:28PM0.33m | 2:13AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.46m | 3:06AM0.57m | 3:01PM0.58m | 4:25AM0.63m | 4:30PM0.66m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | 5:22 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 664 | 472 | 457 | 652 | 294 | 450 | 486 | 901 | 579 | 497 | 283 | 845 | 1366 | 1117 | 835 | 1630 | 1510 | 1027 | 1099 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SW 10 | E 10 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | E 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 21 |
| kJ | 128 | 251 | 94 | 224 | 267 | 149 | 35 | 570 | 561 | 361 | 224 | 273 | 172 | 122 | 76 | 94 | 68 | 66 | 147 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | E 10 | SW 16 | E 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 17 | SSW 15 | E 9 | ENE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 125 | 96 | 10 | 71 | 128 | 48 | 31 | 33 | 18 | 140 | 385 | 43 | 63 | 128 | 133 | 37 | 13 | 13 | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | SW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 245 | — | — | 205 | 2299 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 5 | — | 54 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 137 | 0 | 386 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 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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