
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 6,440 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period with S 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Riet River over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first week is a write-off. We’ve got a massive stretch of poor surf conditions from the 4th right through to the 7th. Strong, onshore winds and lumpy, messy surf are all we’re seeing. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 64°, which is a bit of a sting, but it’s the wind that’s the real killer. The combined swell energy is massive on the 6th with a reading of 4661, but it’s all wind-chopped and useless. You’d be better off staying on the beach.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday the 8th. The morning session is glassy, with a light NNE breeze at just 3 mph. The swell is a clean 4 ft from the south with a 12-second period, giving it some decent shape. The energy is moderate at 474. The wind is glass, and that’s a huge positive. The break is a point, so with that south swell, it should line up nicely. It’s a known spot for being inconsistent, so getting a window like this is a treat. It’s not a massive swell, but for a clean, uncrowded morning, this is the best on offer in the first week. The score is low, but conditions are right.
The following week is a mixed bag of onshore junk and clean but windy days. The 11th and 12th see a return of onshore winds and poor conditions. The 13th, Sunday, has a 6 ft swell from the SSW with a clean cross-off wind, but it’s a fresh breeze at 22 mph, which will make it bumpy. The energy is high at 1454, but it’s a tough paddle.
Now, the real standout is the second week, around the 18th and 19th – but it’s a long-range call, so keep that in mind. On Friday the 18th, we’ve got a solid 13 ft SSW swell, with a 14-second period, meaning serious groundswell energy. The combined energy is a massive 5879. That’s big, powerful surf. The wind is cross-off in the morning, then clean in the afternoon. For a point break like Riet River, this is a dream setup. The swell is over 8 ft, so this is for experts only. The 19th is similar with a 10 ft S swell and offshore winds, giving a clean, powerful wall. This is the best on offer, but you’ll need to be on your game and know the spot.
The 17th is also worth a mention for a cleaner, smaller option. The Thursday morning has a 4 ft SSW swell, a 16-second period, and light offshore wind from the west at 6 mph. The energy is 1075, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. It’s a smaller, more manageable day for those who want to get in without the massive power.
Keep an eye on the 18th and 19th for the big stuff. It’s a long way out, but it’s got the makings of a proper session.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Fri night, strong winds from the ENE by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon morning, calm by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1015 | 1151 | 470 | 494 | 541 | 469 | 2142 | 3933 | 4580 | 2278 | 1617 | 875 | 336 | 230 | 144 | 99 | 116 | 172 | 114 | 427 | 845 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:26PM1.15m | 9:34AM0.98m | 10:52PM1.07m | 12:18PM1.05m | 00:48AM1.17m | 1:30PM1.24m | 1:47AM1.32m | 2:15PM1.43m | 2:29AM1.45m | 2:52PM1.60m | 3:05AM1.55m | 3:25PM1.71m | 3:38AM1.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:50PM0.51m | 3:08AM0.59m | 3:49PM0.65m | 5:46AM0.59m | 6:29PM0.58m | 7:13AM0.43m | 7:41PM0.41m | 8:01AM0.27m | 8:26PM0.24m | 8:38AM0.13m | 9:04PM0.12m | 9:12AM0.03m | 9:37PM0.03m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 9 | SSW 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SW 11 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 14 |
880 | 1151 | 470 | 494 | 541 | 469 | 2142 | 3933 | 4580 | 2278 | 1617 | 875 | 660 | 230 | 675 | 641 | 57 | 442 | 307 | 266 | 845 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 9 | E 9 | WSW 11 | E 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | WSW 14 | S 12 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | ENE 9 |
102 | 137 | 88 | 45 | 47 | 51 | 331 | 263 | — | — | — | 362 | 336 | 102 | 144 | 99 | 116 | 172 | 114 | 427 | 216 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | S 16 | SW 10 | WSW 11 | — | SSW 26 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 17 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SSW 19 | SW 12 | S 5 |
114 | 20 | 102 | 79 | — | 67 | 32 | 345 | — | — | — | — | 138 | 12 | 90 | 55 | 32 | 39 | 72 | 86 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | ENE 9 | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 3 | — |
1015 | 698 | — | 226 | 228 | 110 | 75 | 120 | 275 | 718 | 1006 | 1197 | 900 | 586 | 947 | — | 521 | 22 | 19 | 9 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1858 | 816 | 386 | 386 | 781 | 239 | 386 | 567 | 386 | 361 | 386 | 16 | 0 | 135 | 16 | 0 | 125 | 126 | 125 | 126 | 0 |
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.










