Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,159 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 12s 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day. Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line at Riet River. We’ve got a stretch of clean, solid swell ahead, but you’re gonna have to pick your windows. The water’s running real cold—about 60° with a big temperature anomaly, nearly 7° colder than it should be this time of year. Suit up properly if you’re heading out.
The first real window kicks off Wednesday morning, August 19th. The swell is a proper 8ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, and it’s glassy. The energy’s strong, too, sitting at 1596. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Wednesday afternoon stays big but the wind swings to a 25 km/h cross-off, which is still clean but a lot more push.
Thursday, August 20th, is a step up in size. You’re looking at 10ft in the morning and 12ft by the afternoon, both from the SSW with a 14-second period. The energy’s cranking—3294 and 3934. This is serious, powerful groundswell. It’s only for surfers who know what they’re doing. The winds are cross-off at 20 km/h, so it’ll be lined up, but it’s raw out there.
Friday morning, August 21st, has a bit of a letdown—7ft with a light cross-on breeze. It’s rideable but not great. Friday afternoon turns poor as the onshore wind picks up to 25 km/h.
Then we get a big blow on Saturday. A 45 km/h offshore wind on the 22nd morning makes it hard to paddle into, even if the 6ft SSE swell looks clean. There’s a bigger 10ft SW swell Saturday afternoon but that strong wind’s still tearing things up. It’s not your day to be comfortable in the water.
Sunday, August 23rd, settles down. Morning is your standout. 7ft of SSW swell, 11-second period, with a light cross-off breeze. The energy’s a solid 1135 and the water’s going to be clean. This is excellent surf and probably the most user-friendly of the bigger swells. The afternoon gets a little crossed up but it’s still okay.
Monday, August 24th, brings a cleaner, smaller wave. Morning sees 6ft and the afternoon drops to 5ft. Light cross-off winds both sessions. It’s not big, but it’ll be fun and lined up. The crowd situation at Riet River can be a thing, so if you’re lucky, you’ll have some room.
The rest of the week gets messy. Tuesday has onshore winds and the swell is chunky, Wednesday is onshore and choppy. Flat-ish and poor conditions run right through the 30th and into the 31st. There’s a brief moment on Thursday, August 27th, with a clean 4ft swell and light winds, but it’s small.
Looking into the first week of September, there’s a spot on September 1st. A moderate offshore wind and a 5ft SSW swell with a long 15-second period. It’s promising but a bit further out, so don’t book your travel just yet. It’s a gentle down period after that, with small swells and onshore winds so the vibe fades.
Too much size and wind on those big days will have you thinking a kite is better than a paddle board. Keep your eyes on the Wednesday and Sunday mornings—those are your best bets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1596 | 1524 | 1547 | 3294 | 3934 | 2196 | 1302 | 1027 | 777 | 831 | 2419 | 1818 | 1123 | 988 | 1342 | 782 | 549 | 744 | 1504 | 984 | 1021 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:30PM1.21m | 7:42AM1.03m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:09PM0.44m | 1:46AM0.55m | 1:44PM0.59m | 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 | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ENE 7 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 |
1596 | 1524 | 73 | 3294 | 3934 | 2196 | 1302 | 1027 | 777 | 831 | 31 | 1374 | 1123 | 988 | 1342 | 782 | 549 | 731 | 1504 | 984 | 1021 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 6 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 21 | S 16 | SW 11 |
86 | 79 | 94 | 36 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 13 | — | 43 | — | 13 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 137 | 427 | 744 | 36 | 529 | 241 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | — |
— | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 13 | — | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | WSW 5 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 5 |
— | — | 1547 | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | 61 | 2419 | 1818 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 126 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 133 | 127 | 123 | 126 | 0 | 123 | 567 | 16 | 333 | 329 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 386 | 318 |
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.











