
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 7,150 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s 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 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8PM. 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 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking straight at the Riet River forecast for the next couple weeks. This is a tricky stretch of coast, and we’ve got a real mix of conditions coming through.
First up, the overall pattern: we’re looking at a bit of a slow start, with a lot of wind and messy surf before we get a proper window. The first real standout is a Tuesday morning glass-off, but the swell is small. The real juice comes in the second week, with a couple of days that look proper. Water temp is sitting at 64.8°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent suit.
The first surf worth mentioning is on Tuesday, the 8th of September. Early morning at Riet River, we’ve got a glassy 3.6 ft SSW swell. The period is 12 seconds, so it’s a clean groundswell that will wrap into the point nicely. The combined energy is moderate (485). The wind is 3 mph from the west, dead calm, and it’s a point break, so it’s generally a better shape than a beach break. It’s rated as inconsistent, so don’t bank on non-stop sets, but the conditions are clean.
Wednesday, the 9th is similar but smaller. Both morning and afternoon are glassy, with the swell dropping to 2.0 ft (SW) and 1.6 ft (SSW). The energy is weak (152 and 173). These are super small days, only really for a longboard or a funboard. The point will be clean, but you’ll be scratching for a ride.
Thursday, the 10th, the wind picks up, but it’s a cross-off shore, keeping the face clean. The morning has a 2.3 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and though the energy is weak (194), the afternoon pushes that up to 3.6 ft SSW with a 15-second period and a moderate energy of 829. It’s a bit stronger, but the tide and conditions are marginal.
Now we get a few days of strong onshore wind and rain. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are blown out, with strong winds from the east and ENE. The Saturday morning even has a 9.8 ft ESE swell, but it’s short period (8 seconds) and messy. Not worth paddling out.
Sunday, the 13th, is cleaner with a cross-off wind from the WSW, but the swell is 5.6 ft SSW with a 15-second period. Energy is moderate (1220). It’s marginal, but there’s potential for a few waves if you’re patient.
Monday, the 14th is the best day of the whole forecast. Monday morning: clear skies, 7.9 ft SW swell with a 10-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze from the SW. The combined energy is strong (2878). This is a proper swell for the point, and the wind is clean. It’s listed for experienced surfers, and the swell is over 5 ft, so it’s not for beginners. The crowd situation is “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out, but it won’t be chaotic. This is the standout.
Monday afternoon stays good, with a 6.9 ft SW swell, 11-second period, and a light cross-on breeze. Still clean, but the morning is the pick.
Tuesday, the 15th, drops off quickly. Swell down to 3.6 ft, conditions are marginal.
Wednesday, the 16th, sees a return of a moderate 5.9 ft to 6.9 ft SW swell with clean cross-off winds. The energy is strong (1222 to 2021). This is a solid day, but not as pristine as Monday.
Thursday, the 17th, the swell is 9.8 ft SSW in the morning, but the period is short (9 seconds). The wind is clean cross-off, but at that size, it’s going to be a powerful, dumpy wave. Only for experts. The afternoon is 8.2 ft S swell, same period. Strong energy.
Friday, the 18th, is similar, with 7.9 ft to 8.2 ft swell from the SE and ESE, short period. The wind is still cross-off but getting stronger. It’s clean, but the short period makes it less ideal for a point break.
Saturday, the 19th, the swell drops to 2.6 ft. The wind is strong offshore, which makes it clean but hard to paddle into. Not really worth it.
Sunday, the 20th, is the last real standout. Sunday morning: glassy conditions, 9.8 ft SW swell with a 7-second period. The energy is moderate (873). That’s a big, short-period wave. It’s going to be a wall of white water, not a classic point wave. More interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer, honestly. The afternoon is 11.5 ft SW with a 9-second period, clean cross-off, but again, that size with short period is a handful.
Monday
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the ESE by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 22 | SSW 19 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2410 | 4265 | 5455 | 2441 | 1617 | 771 | 347 | 230 | 144 | 97 | 116 | 711 | 178 | 532 | 890 | 854 | 594 | 1067 | 1118 | 330 | 1830 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 12:18PM1.05m | 00:48AM1.17m | 1:30PM1.24m | 1:47AM1.32m | 2:15PM1.43m | 2:29AM1.45m | 2:52PM1.60m | 3:05AM1.55m | 3:25PM1.71m | 3:38AM1.60m | 3:57PM1.77m | 4:09AM1.62m | 4:27PM1.77m | 4:39AM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:29PM0.58m | 7:13AM0.43m | 7:41PM0.41m | 8:01AM0.27m | 8:26PM0.24m | 8:38AM0.13m | 9:04PM0.12m | 9:12AM0.03m | 9:37PM0.03m | 9:42AM-0.03m | 10:08PM-0.00m | 10:12AM-0.04m | 10:37PM0.01m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 31 | 29 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 |
2410 | 4265 | 5455 | 2441 | 1617 | 771 | 586 | 484 | 404 | 329 | 315 | 243 | 202 | 532 | 890 | 854 | 594 | 336 | 371 | 330 | 1830 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | SSE 11 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | SSE 9 | SW 13 | ENE 9 | SSE 6 | ENE 9 | SE 13 | SSW 12 | S 20 | SSW 16 | — |
416 | 314 | — | — | — | 167 | 347 | 230 | 144 | 97 | 116 | 16 | 178 | 169 | 80 | 119 | 6 | 187 | 8 | 256 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | SSE 11 | SW 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | ENE 9 | SE 13 | — | SSW 9 | SE 13 | S 19 | — |
31 | 417 | — | — | — | 156 | 138 | 77 | 85 | 55 | 57 | 13 | 16 | 297 | 140 | 7 | — | 15 | 7 | 267 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | — | WSW 13 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | — | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 |
223 | 308 | 126 | 509 | 980 | 1023 | — | 637 | 541 | — | — | 711 | 33 | 45 | — | 91 | 321 | 1067 | 1118 | 1335 | 1663 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 386 | 567 | 386 | 329 | 329 | 16 | 0 | 135 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 123 | 139 | 135 | 243 | 386 | 386 | 161 | 329 | 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.










