Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 4,594 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 13s 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Riet River over the next couple of weeks.
First off, we’re in for a bit of a wait. The surf kicks off Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September, with a solid 8 ft SSW groundswell rolling in at 13 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 2369, and with glassy, slight air conditions, this is the standout window. The water temp is about average for this time of year. This is a point break and it’s inconsistent—it rarely turns on like this—so when it does, you get in the water. It’s best for experienced surfers at this size.
But that clean window is short-lived. By Wednesday afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the ENE at 15 mph and the quality tanks. Thursday the 3rd is a write-off with lumpy, choppy conditions and a cross-onshore wind, and Friday the 4th is more of the same with a short-period 8 ft SE swell (9 seconds) and fresh cross-onshore wind. That’s a blown-out mess, honestly more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th stay poor. Sunday afternoon sees a near gale cross-onshore at 31 mph, with a 7 ft SSW swell but it’s blown to bits. Monday the 7th is still onshore and choppy.
We get a small break on Tuesday the 8th. Morning brings clean conditions with a light cross-offshore SW wind and a 3 ft S swell at 12 seconds. It’s a small wave day, but clean. The afternoon is marginal, not worth rushing for.
A real long gap follows—nothing of note until Thursday the 10th of September. That morning, we get the second real standout: a clean 5 ft SW groundswell at 12 seconds, with a light cross-offshore SSW breeze at 6 mph. The combined energy is 540, moderate but well-shaped. Expect very good surf conditions. Crowds are possible here at times, so get out early.
Friday the 11th morning is marginal but rideable with a light cross-onshore ESE breeze and a 6 ft SSW swell at 12 seconds. It’s got some energy at 1039, but the wind is just off enough to be annoying. Afternoon turns poor again.
Now, into the second week: Saturday the 12th of September has some promise. Morning is clean with a cross-offshore SW wind and a 8 ft SSW groundswell at 15 seconds. That’s a very long period, meaning good shape at this point break. Afternoon is clean too, with a 10 ft SSW swell at 15 seconds and light winds—this is expert territory, big and clean. Combined energy is 3241. If you’re experienced, that’s a session. Sunday the 13th is onshore and poor again.
Monday the 14th morning is marginal with light cross-shore wind and a 5 ft SSW swell—rideable but not perfect. Afternoon cleans up nicely with a cross-offshore breeze and similar swell. Tuesday the 15th is mostly poor, and Wednesday the 16th is clean but small.
The last call is Thursday the 17th morning: a light cross-shore and a 5 ft SSW groundswell at a very long 15 seconds. Energy is 1154, and it’s clean enough for a paddle. A decent way to finish the run.
Overall, the two standouts are Wednesday morning the 2nd and Thursday morning the 10th. The 2nd has the size and glass, the 10th has the clean conditions and better crowd potential. Big stuff on the 12th is for the experts only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed night, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the ENE on Sat morning, strong winds from the ENE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1979 | 2369 | 1807 | 1173 | 789 | 455 | 2655 | 1081 | 940 | 507 | 496 | 496 | 377 | 536 | 2937 | 3188 | 1294 | 850 | 632 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 6:14AM1.39m | 6:35PM1.48m | 6:52AM1.26m | 7:19PM1.32m | 7:44AM1.10m | 8:26PM1.15m | 9:34AM0.98m | 10:52PM1.07m | 12:18PM1.05m | 00:48AM1.17m | 1:30PM1.24m | 1:47AM1.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:13AM0.18m | 12:16PM0.20m | 00:51AM0.31m | 12:55PM0.35m | 1:41AM0.46m | 1:50PM0.51m | 3:08AM0.59m | 3:49PM0.65m | 5:46AM0.59m | 6:29PM0.58m | 7:13AM0.43m | 7:41PM0.41m | |||||||
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 20 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | E 10 | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | ENE 10 |
1979 | 2369 | 1807 | 1173 | 789 | 455 | 67 | 772 | 940 | 507 | 496 | 496 | 377 | 269 | 2937 | 3188 | 1294 | 850 | 1441 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | E 10 | SE 7 | S 13 | SSW 22 | SSW 10 | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 13 |
84 | 54 | — | 39 | 21 | 55 | 74 | 104 | 327 | 134 | 46 | 134 | 14 | 536 | 140 | — | 35 | 14 | 632 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | ENE 10 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | — | — | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | S 18 |
— | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | 77 | 110 | 78 | — | — | 14 | 50 | — | — | — | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 8 | E 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | S 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
— | — | 55 | 42 | 85 | 198 | 2655 | 1081 | 493 | 44 | 270 | 69 | 275 | 537 | 935 | 1427 | 1317 | 1565 | 1926 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 351 | 96 | 167 | 167 | 1963 | 386 | 837 | 386 | 386 | 567 | 265 | 386 | 386 | 329 | 135 | 190 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











