Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,358 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 13s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cooking.
We've got a solid run of swell on the cards for Riet River, a classic point break that loves a good SSW groundswell. It’s an inconsistent spot, so when it lines up, you really want to be on it. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.
The real standout window kicks off on Tuesday the 25th. That morning is where you want to be. We’re looking at a clean 8ft swell from the SSW with a very long 14-second period, pumping out a massive 2363 units of energy. The wind is light and offshore from the WSW, so those point break walls are going to be smooth and lined up. This is top-tier stuff, but remember, at 8ft it’s serious, expert-only territory.
Friday the 21st offers a glimpse of what’s to come. The morning is glassy with a solid 7ft SSW groundswell (12-second period) and a strong energy reading of 1302. It's clean and powerful, but not the standout of the run.
Thursday the 22nd is a write-off. A howling 31 mph cross-offshore wind from the WSW will trash the 7ft swell, making it a day to stay on land.
Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th are marginal. The swell drops to around 5-8ft, but the wind is all over the place, mostly cross-off or cross-shore. You might find a sneaky one, but it won’t be firing.
After that Tuesday morning magic, the wind turns to crap. Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th see onshore and cross-onshore winds making a mess of the 5-6ft swell. Not worth your time.
A bit of a drought rolls in from Friday the 28th through to Monday the 1st of September, with tiny, weak swell and unfavourable winds. A blank few days.
Things look like they might kick off again on Sunday the 30th of August with a strong, clean offshore wind from the West and a 7ft SSW swell. It’s got potential, but the forecast is further out, so keep an eye on it.
There’s a big pulse showing for Friday the 4th of September, a massive 13ft SW swell with 13-second period and an insane 6767 energy reading. The problem is, it’s coming straight onshore with the wind. For a point break, that’s going to be a choppy, bumpy mess. Unless you're a masochist, this one’s more for the kite surfers on a beach setup than us paddle guys.
So, bottom line: clear your calendar for the morning of Tuesday the 25th. That’s your best bet by a long shot. Get it while it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, near gales from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 8 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2230 | 1302 | 1027 | 801 | 991 | 1147 | 1564 | 1192 | 1144 | 829 | 746 | 604 | 731 | 2358 | 1834 | 1849 | 1134 | 838 | 807 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:12PM1.07m | 8:49AM0.91m | 10:19PM0.96m | 12:37PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:45PM1.05m | 1:47AM1.15m | 2:19PM1.19m | 2:21AM1.28m | 2:47PM1.33m | 2:51AM1.39m | 3:13PM1.46m | 3:18AM1.48m | ||||||
Low Tide | 2:45AM0.67m | 2:54PM0.72m | 5:46AM0.71m | 6:30PM0.73m | 7:31AM0.59m | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.24m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | E 6 | E 7 | SW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 2230 | 1302 | 1027 | 801 | 34 | 26 | 1286 | 1192 | 1144 | 829 | 746 | 604 | 731 | 2358 | 1834 | 1849 | 1134 | 838 | 807 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | S 14 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 |
| kJ | 22 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 231 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 429 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 417 | 692 | 234 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | E 10 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 4 | SSW 11 | SW 8 | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 6 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 16 | 991 | 1147 | 1564 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 40 | 200 | 538 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 386 | 125 | 276 | 332 | 125 | 110 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 386 | 386 | 329 |
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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