
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 4,888 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down what’s happening at Riet River. This forecast is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of proper windows you’ll want to know about.
Our first chance to paddle out is Saturday afternoon, July 25th. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the SSW, with a 13-second period – that’s a nice, long groundswell, and the wave energy is strong (1597). Don’t go thinking it’s perfect, though. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so the surface will have a few ripples, and the water is running 64°, which is about 4° colder than normal for this time of year – so that’s a cold one. This spot is inconsistent, so it doesn't always show up.
Into Sunday, July 26th, the swell stays around 7ft, but the wind kicks up from the NNE at 9 mph, making it choppy in the morning, and even worse in the afternoon with a 12 mph NE breeze. Monday the 27th is cleaner with cross-offshore wind, but the swell has dropped to 5ft. The energy is moderate (831 to 1388), but it’s not lighting the world on fire.
Tuesday morning, July 28th, brings a big pulse – a 10ft south swell with a very long 15-second period. The energy reading is massive (3522), but it’s coming with rain and a cross-onshore wind, making it choppy and messy. This is expert territory at that size, and the wind isn’t doing it any favors. It’s marginal at best.
From there, things get quiet. The end of July and the first days of August are a write-off. The swell drops to under 2ft, and the wind is howling onshore or cross-onshore from the ENE, often blowing 20 to 31 mph. By August 1st, it’s a total blown-out mess with near-gale winds. This is a lull you’ll want to sit out.
But hold on, because the second week starts looking up. Tuesday morning, August 4th, is clean: a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW at just 3 mph, and a 4ft SSW swell with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (437), and it’ll be a tidy, clean session.
The real star of this forecast is building for Saturday, August 8th. Saturday morning sees an 8ft SW groundswell with a light offshore wind from the west. That’s prime – clean, powerful, and perfect for the point. The energy is strong at 1919. For the more experienced, Saturday afternoon pushes up to 10ft SW, with a cross-offshore breeze. That’s excellent for the crew who can handle it, but it’s definitely expert-level stuff. That Saturday is the highlight, but it’s a way off, so keep your fingers crossed.
Also worth a mention: Friday morning, August 7th, with a 4ft SW swell and glassy conditions, with virtually no wind. That’s a super clean, fun session for anyone looking to ease into the weekend.
So, the first week is a bit of a washout with a few average days and some big, messy swell. The second week has a few clean windows, with Tuesday the 4th and Friday the 7th offering fun waves. But the one to mark on the calendar is Saturday, August 8th: a solid SW groundswell with offshore winds. That could be a cracker.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sat night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1405 | 1631 | 1163 | 782 | 485 | 636 | 636 | 1583 | 3522 | 1647 | 1513 | 1042 | 734 | 596 | 484 | 484 | 586 | 528 | 281 | 257 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:54AM1.19m | 2:30PM1.17m | 2:35AM1.29m | 3:05PM1.28m | 3:09AM1.38m | 3:36PM1.38m | 3:40AM1.45m | 4:05PM1.47m | 4:09AM1.50m | 4:34PM1.54m | 4:37AM1.52m | 5:02PM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:41PM0.58m | 8:19AM0.44m | 8:27PM0.48m | 8:54AM0.33m | 9:03PM0.38m | 9:24AM0.24m | 9:35PM0.30m | 9:52AM0.15m | 10:06PM0.24m | 10:20AM0.09m | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.06m | 11:05PM0.17m | |||||||
— | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 7 |
1405 | 1631 | 1163 | 782 | 389 | 636 | 636 | 1559 | 3522 | 1647 | 1513 | 1042 | 734 | 596 | 484 | 484 | 586 | 528 | 281 | 257 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | S 16 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | — | E 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | — | ESE 10 | — | SW 12 |
192 | 134 | 55 | 251 | 121 | 67 | 534 | 25 | 23 | 206 | 13 | 11 | — | 108 | 6 | 8 | — | 240 | — | 152 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 10 | S 17 | SE 9 | SSW 14 | S 16 | ENE 8 | — | E 9 | S 12 | — | — | — | S 9 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | S 8 |
— | 2 | 151 | 37 | 485 | 195 | 35 | — | 15 | 12 | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 52 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | — | SW 6 | SSW 7 | S 11 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 5 | E 10 | ENE 6 |
— | — | 5 | 26 | — | 161 | 218 | 1583 | — | 117 | 362 | 312 | 366 | 271 | 551 | 538 | 369 | 77 | 668 | 293 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 149 | 5 | 5 | 135 | 4 | 329 | 126 | 191 | 386 | 243 | 161 | 291 | 304 | 136 | 5 | 127 | 5 | 239 | 386 | 291 |
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.










