
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 5,847 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 12s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got one spot on the radar for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
First up, the water temp is sitting at 63°, which is a solid 5° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a big deal, so don’t even think about leaving the wetsuit at home.
The main event kicks off on Monday morning, July 20th, at Riet River. We’re looking at a solid 7ft SSW swell with a 10-second period, generating a strong 1437 combined energy. The wind is howling out of the WSW at 16 mph, but it’s offshore, so the lineup is going to be clean and organized. This is quality surf, but that size is getting up there – it’s strictly for the experienced crew. The swell is coming from the SSW, which is exactly what this point wants to see.
Tuesday morning, July 21st, is a real beauty. The swell drops back to a more manageable 3ft, but the period stretches out to 16 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, full of energy, and the wind is glassy out of the SW at just 3 mph. The combined energy is 994, and the conditions will be pristine. Keep in mind, a long period swell like this can sometimes race past the beach breaks, but for a point break like Riet River, it’s magic. This is the standout session for the intermediate surfer who wants it all to themselves.
Wednesday morning, July 22nd, is another glassy morning with the wind swinging to the NNW at 3 mph. The swell is 6ft from the SSW, period around 13 seconds, and 1347 combined energy. It’s a touch bigger than Tuesday, but still clean and excellent for experienced surfers.
We hit a bit of a lull in quality after that. The wind gets messy, and the surf quality drops. The next real standout doesn’t come until the following week. Thursday morning, July 30th, delivers another glassy session with the wind out of the SW at 3 mph. The swell is 6ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, and 1738 combined energy. It’s another clean, powerful wave for the experienced rider.
Then, on Saturday, August 1st, we get a late-afternoon call. The wind is offshore out of the W at 16 mph, and we’ve got a 8ft SSW swell with a 15-second period. That’s a massive 3776 combined energy. The wind is moderate, so it’s a bit of a battle to get out, but once you’re in the zone, it’s going to be a proper freight train. This is a long-range standout, so keep your fingers crossed that the forecast holds.
After that, the surf drops off significantly, and the wind stays strong. It looks like a pretty quiet end to the run.
So, if you’re marking your calendar, the absolute best on offer is Tuesday morning, July 21st. Glassy, head-high, and perfect shape. The second best is the late afternoon on Saturday, August 1st, if you’re brave enough to handle the size and the wind. For the rest of the time, the conditions are too inconsistent or blown out to get too excited.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the S by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
851 | 570 | 563 | 400 | 1091 | 1643 | 1083 | 878 | 890 | 548 | 696 | 2181 | 5847 | 4761 | 2913 | 1956 | 1783 | 1619 | 934 | 830 | 739 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:58PM1.34m | 8:07AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.22m | 9:04AM1.01m | 9:48PM1.11m | 10:42AM0.94m | 11:28PM1.07m | 12:38PM0.97m | 00:57AM1.11m | 1:46PM1.07m | 1:54AM1.19m | 2:30PM1.17m | 2:35AM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:28PM0.33m | 2:13AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.46m | 3:06AM0.57m | 3:01PM0.58m | 4:25AM0.63m | 4:30PM0.66m | 6:15AM0.62m | 6:27PM0.66m | 7:32AM0.54m | 7:41PM0.58m | 8:19AM0.44m | 8:27PM0.48m | ||||||||
7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
580 | 570 | 563 | 354 | 1091 | 1643 | 1083 | 878 | 890 | 548 | 110 | 65 | 5847 | 4761 | 2913 | 1956 | 1783 | 1619 | 934 | 830 | 739 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ENE 8 |
33 | 270 | 422 | 240 | 360 | 302 | 235 | 209 | 180 | 82 | 57 | 15 | 31 | 47 | 100 | 95 | 113 | 77 | 36 | 40 | 270 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | E 10 | S 15 | SSW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 8 | SE 12 | — | SSW 21 | ENE 8 | — | SE 11 | — | — | — | E 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
6 | 18 | 115 | 400 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 36 | 65 | 142 | — | 83 | 7 | — | 29 | — | — | — | 2 | 40 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | — | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | — |
851 | 311 | — | — | — | — | 29 | — | 24 | 206 | 696 | 2181 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 36 | 98 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 133 | 126 | 0 | 167 | 0 | 125 | 243 | 16 | 5 | 369 | 16 | 5 | 125 | 5 |
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.










