Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 7,243 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 18s. 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 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) 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 1.3m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, it's Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Riet River over the next couple of weeks. We've got a real mixed bag coming, with some absolute gems hidden in there, but also some periods of messy, blown-out conditions you'll want to avoid.
The first real action worth paddling out for kicks off on Thursday the 16th. The swell is building nicely, with a solid 5ft of SSW groundswell, a long period of 14 seconds, and a clean offshore W wind at 6 mph. The wave energy is strong (1258), and the water is sitting at 63°, which is 5° cooler than usual for this time of year – you'll want a thicker wetsuit. This is an inconsistent point break, so patience is key, but the quality will be there for experienced surfers.
The standout window, without a doubt, is Friday the 17th. The morning sees a strong 7ft SSW swell, with a 12-second period and a cross-off WSW breeze. The wave energy is still pumping (1320). But the afternoon is where it's at – glassy conditions with a light SE wind at 3 mph, the same 7ft SW swell, and a strong 1140 energy reading. This is going to be clean, pure, and the best on offer. You'll want to be out there.
The following week has some serious potential, but it's mixed with strong winds. Thursday the 23rd is a real standout in the long-range, though it's for experts only. The morning brings a massive 13ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 16 seconds, and light cross-shore N winds. The energy is extreme (8373). The afternoon is slightly smaller at 12ft from the SSW, with a 15-second period and a clean cross-off SSW breeze (5809 energy). This is exceptional surf for those with the skills and the nerve.
Be aware of the big gaps. After the initial run, conditions get dicey with strong offshore winds making it hard to paddle in, and then a few days of poor onshore slop. The 23rd is the clear target for the second week, but it's a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, calm by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 183 | 1047 | 850 | 1457 | 966 | 1320 | 1123 | 604 | 461 | 396 | 1195 | 1172 | 1391 | 674 | 453 | 801 | 1113 | 2928 | 4167 | 3385 | 2151 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 8:07AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.22m | 9:04AM1.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:08PM0.46m | 3:06AM0.57m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 |
 | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | 5:25 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | E 10 | S 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 346 | 825 | 408 | 1457 | 966 | 1320 | 1123 | 604 | 461 | 396 | 1195 | 71 | 49 | 674 | 453 | 123 | 1113 | 2928 | 4167 | 3385 | 2151 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | E 10 | SSW 14 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 10 | SW 10 | E 10 | S 11 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | ENE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 29 | 308 | 850 | 274 | 210 | 164 | 164 | 161 | 226 | 117 | 100 | 58 | 48 | 45 | 137 | 33 | 75 | 41 | 30 | 34 | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSW 17 | E 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | — | S 15 | S 13 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 13 | S 13 | ENE 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 9 | 195 | 338 | 4 | 2 | — | 17 | 125 | 127 | 96 | 38 | 25 | 48 | 57 | 119 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 7 | 17 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | SW 10 | SW 10 | — | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | NE 5 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 183 | 1047 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 1172 | 1391 | — | — | 801 | — | — | — | 74 | 36 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 126 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 8 | 123 | 0 | 190 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 126 | 0 | 96 | 96 | 88 | 110 |
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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