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Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surfForecast / Eastern Cape (S) / South Africa
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Riet River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Riet River sea temperature is
18.3° C
(Which is 3.1°C colder than average for this time of year)Riet River surf forecast from 31 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 6 Jun, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 4 Jun, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 3,202 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 1 Jun, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s 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 Monday (Jun 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 04) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Sunday (May 31) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 1st Jun) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 6th Jun) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 4th Jun) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, strong winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | Thursday 4 | Friday 5 | Saturday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SSW 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 12 | |
451 | 610 | 522 | 259 | 259 | 411 | 1007 | 1112 | 358 | 1176 | 1747 | 2418 | 2962 | 3202 | 2910 | 2644 | 1655 | 1392 | 929 | 728 | 524 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | |
High Tide | 3:51PM1.38m | 3:58AM1.46m | 4:23PM1.38m | 4:30AM1.44m | 4:56PM1.37m | 5:02AM1.40m | 5:31PM1.34m | 5:34AM1.35m | 6:07PM1.31m | 6:09AM1.29m | 6:48PM1.27m | 6:50AM1.23m | 7:36PM1.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:40AM0.20m | 9:48PM0.28m | 10:12AM0.20m | 10:21PM0.29m | 10:43AM0.21m | 10:54PM0.32m | 11:16AM0.24m | 11:29PM0.37m | 11:51AM0.27m | 00:07AM0.42m | 12:28PM0.31m | 00:50AM0.48m | 1:09PM0.36m | 1:44AM0.52m | |||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 21 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 27 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 18 |
18 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 23 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 14 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 7 | E 8 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | S 10 |
451 | 610 | 522 | 259 | 259 | 411 | 70 | 43 | 292 | 1176 | 569 | 359 | 209 | 189 | 2910 | 2644 | 1655 | 1392 | 929 | 728 | 377 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 7 | E 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SE 12 |
57 | 34 | 139 | 79 | 63 | 75 | — | 19 | 21 | 172 | 918 | — | — | — | 166 | 98 | 197 | 121 | 136 | 250 | 524 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | ESE 8 | S 14 | S 14 | ESE 8 | — | S 13 | S 18 | E 9 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 13 |
2 | — | 35 | 150 | 146 | 11 | — | 3 | 6 | 23 | 33 | — | — | — | 21 | 15 | 33 | 103 | 53 | 158 | 175 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 8 | — | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 8 | — | NNE 3 |
36 | 74 | 180 | — | — | — | 1007 | 1112 | 358 | — | 1747 | 2418 | 2962 | 3202 | — | 193 | 193 | 309 | 356 | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 135 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 243 | 329 | 137 | 137 | 291 | 111 | 111 | 138 | 190 | 332 | 329 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











