
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 2,199 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at Riet River. This is a point break that can be inconsistent, but when it lines up, it’s a proper gem. The first few days will test your patience, but the second week has some serious firepower on the cards.
The water is sitting at 63° right now, which is a couple of degrees colder than what you’d expect for this time of year. You’ll want a good 4/3 and booties, no question.
The forecast starts off flat and a bit messy. Monday the 13th is a write-off – big onshore wind and poor surf. Tuesday the 14th is a step up, with a small but clean 2ft SSW swell in the morning, light cross-off wind, and the energy is pretty weak. It’s surfable but very ordinary. Wednesday the 15th morning is tiny (1ft) but clean offshore, then the afternoon picks up to 4ft but with a short, weak period – not great.
Thursday the 16th morning is where things start to get interesting. A 7ft SSW swell with a long 14-second period rolls in, and the energy jumps to 1829. It’s cross-on and a bit messy, but the size and power are there. Friday the 17th sees a solid 5ft to 7ft SSW swell, with strong offshore winds in the morning cleaning things up nicely. The energy is strong. This is a good window for an intermediate surfer.
Saturday the 18th is a write-off – strong onshore wind and 8ft onshore slop, poor conditions. Not worth a paddle.
Sunday the 19th is a return to form. A 5ft S swell, light offshore wind, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate but solid. It’s a good day for a long session.
Now, the standout window. Monday the 20th morning is excellent. A 6ft SW swell with a light cross-off wind, clean waves, and moderate energy. The conditions are very good. Then, Tuesday the 21st sees a 5ft SSW swell but with a very long 18-second period, pumping 1703 energy. It’s a bit cross-shore, but that long period will wrap beautifully around the point. This is a proper groundswell event.
But the absolute star of the show is Wednesday the 22nd morning. An 8ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, offshore wind, and an incredible 2833 energy. The forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a heavy, powerful point break session. For experts only – 8ft is serious. Thursday the 23rd morning is the biggest of the lot: 10ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and 5624 energy. That’s exceptional, but it’s only for experts. The crowds are likely at Riet River, but on a day like that, the crowd will be small and dedicated.
The final week starts to fade. Friday the 24th is blown out by strong onshore wind. Saturday the 25th morning is a surprise – glassy conditions, 5ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and 1056 energy. It’s clean and perfect for a fun morning. Sunday the 26th is blown out again. The last days of the month (27th and 28th) are messy and small, though the 28th morning is glassy with a 4ft SW swell.
So, the best on offer is Wednesday the 22nd morning for the big, clean, powerful groundswell. Don’t miss it. Thursday the 23rd for the size freaks. And Monday the 20th for a solid, clean, intermediate day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat night, light winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
221 | 304 | 90 | 67 | 65 | 37 | 116 | 844 | 1824 | 1401 | 966 | 668 | 1256 | 2199 | 1960 | 1544 | 1095 | 617 | 458 | 282 | 792 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:12PM1.46m | 3:27AM1.58m | 3:58PM1.56m | 4:12AM1.61m | 4:41PM1.63m | 4:53AM1.59m | 5:22PM1.66m | 5:32AM1.54m | 6:01PM1.63m | 6:10AM1.45m | 6:40PM1.56m | 6:47AM1.34m | 7:18PM1.46m | 7:25AM1.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:16PM0.18m | 9:44AM0.06m | 10:04PM0.12m | 10:26AM0.01m | 10:49PM0.10m | 11:04AM-0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.18m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:51AM0.27m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:31AM0.37m | 1:28PM0.33m | |||||||
— | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | |
5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | 5:24 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 11 |
221 | 304 | 498 | 601 | 513 | 426 | 379 | 844 | 1824 | 1401 | 966 | 668 | 1256 | 2199 | 1960 | 1544 | 1095 | 617 | 458 | 250 | 792 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 12 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | WSW 11 | SW 10 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 9 | SW 12 | SSE 10 |
54 | 251 | 90 | 67 | 65 | 23 | 30 | 302 | 319 | 319 | 313 | 202 | 161 | 125 | 317 | 151 | 264 | 142 | 103 | 282 | 154 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SSE 10 | SSW 17 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | — | — | — | SSE 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
10 | 121 | 28 | 27 | 16 | 37 | 9 | 261 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 46 | — | — | — | 239 | 61 | 114 | 60 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | E 10 | E 6 | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SW 7 | — |
516 | — | — | — | 3 | 20 | 116 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 371 | 169 | — | 26 | 72 | 255 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 329 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 4 | 5 | 135 | 0 | 167 | 190 | 137 | 138 | 386 | 135 | 0 | 110 | 0 | 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.











