Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, S swell with 7,062 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 11s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM. 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down the Riet River situation.
We've got a few decent pulses of SSW groundswell on the charts, but the wind is going to be the decider. The best window, the one you wake up early for, is Sunday the 23rd in the afternoon. You've got a good 7ft SSW swell with an 11-second period, putting down solid energy (1102). The wind is a nice light cross-offshore, making for clean waves that suit the experienced crew.
Another one to look at is Sunday the 30th of August, afternoon. That's a 8ft SW swell, a little shorter period at 9 seconds, but the cross-off wind is there to clean it up (energy 1092). The morning of the 31st also offers a clean 5ft option.
It goes completely flat and messy from Wednesday the 26th through Saturday the 29th. Onshore winds from the east and northeast will make a mess of things. Some of those days have huge combined energy numbers, like 5117 on the 26th, but that's all wind and chop – not for surfing.
Into the first week of September, we see some bigger, more powerful swells. The 3rd of September has a solid 12ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period, but the wind is onshore. The 4th of September morning looks clean again with a cross-off wind and a 10ft SSW swell – that's big, expert-only territory. Those longer-range calls are promising but not locked in.
The water feels about average for the season. Riet River is an inconsistent point break, so you've got to pick your moment. The 23rd and the 30th are your best bets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1277 | 1102 | 814 | 710 | 539 | 835 | 1697 | 1177 | 2234 | 2505 | 5965 | 2764 | 1510 | 1065 | 841 | 617 | 586 | 482 | 284 | 231 | 100 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:45PM1.05m | 1:47AM1.15m | 2:19PM1.19m | 2:21AM1.28m | 2:47PM1.33m | 2:51AM1.39m | 3:13PM1.46m | 3:18AM1.48m | 3:39PM1.57m | 3:45AM1.55m | 4:05PM1.66m | 4:13AM1.59m | 4:32PM1.71m | 4:41AM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:43PM0.61m | 8:08AM0.45m | 8:19PM0.48m | 8:36AM0.32m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.24m | 9:26AM0.10m | 9:44PM0.15m | 9:51AM0.03m | 10:11PM0.08m | 10:17AM-0.01m | 10:39PM0.05m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 29 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 23 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 11 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 1277 | 1102 | 814 | 710 | 539 | 835 | 1697 | 1177 | 2234 | 1915 | 5965 | 2764 | 1510 | 1065 | 1177 | 639 | 517 | 409 | 367 | 231 | 669 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 17 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 13 | S 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 155 | 639 | 582 | 1038 | 104 | 2505 | — | — | — | 82 | 841 | 617 | 586 | 482 | 284 | 56 | 100 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 14 | S 15 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 227 | 206 | 110 | 23 | 47 | 15 | 56 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 222 | 758 | 1427 | 1640 | — | — | — | — | 451 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 0 | 123 | 126 | 133 | 386 | 567 | 361 | 331 | 329 | 5 | 5 | 142 | 16 | 16 | 123 |
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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