
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 5,002 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m 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 3.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 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
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a real look at what’s coming for Riet River. We’re starting off on Thursday the 3rd of September, but don’t bother paddling out yet. There’s a solid 6ft SSW swell hitting with a 12-second period and the combined swell energy is moderate at best (941), but that SE wind at 12 mph is blowing cross-on and making it choppy. Not worth it. It stays poor through Friday and Saturday, with wind either howling or onshore and the waves getting messy. Even Sunday the 6th has a long-period 23-second pulse from the SSW at 4ft in the morning, which sounds fancy, but with a 25 mph ENE wind onshore, it’s blown out. The combined energy jumps up (1747) but you won’t enjoy it.
Now, Tuesday the 8th of September is where it gets a little interesting. Morning glass-off conditions with light S wind at just 3 mph, cross-shore, and a clean 5ft SSW swell with a 13-second groundswell period. The combined energy (635) is weak, but that wind is right. Tide and break consistency might be a question because this spot is known to be inconsistent. Still, if you’re keen, this morning window is your best bet. Crowds are possible here – they come sometimes – but on a Tuesday morning you might have it quiet.
The only real standout I’m seeing is Friday the 18th of September, that’s 15 days out, so keep it on the radar. Morning has a 7ft SSW swell with an 11-second period, combined energy (1408) is moderate-strong. The wind goes glassy – absolutely dead calm, 3 mph from the east – and the report says “glassy” conditions with excellent surf for experienced surfers. That’s the one. Wave height is over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but for the crew that can handle it, this is clean, lined-up Riet River at its best. Just remember, crowds are possible here, and the swell direction from the SSW matches perfectly with this point break’s optimum.
Before that, there are a few days in between where you might scratch an itch. Monday the 14th of September has a 7ft S swell, 13-second period, combined energy (1585), but the wind is a gentle cross-on from the NE at 9 mph. It’s fairly choppy, but if you’re desperate and the tide cooperates, it’s a marginal go.
Water temperature? For Riet River, it’s about average for this time of year – no major anomaly to call out. The combined energy values tell the story: weak when under 100, moderate in the hundreds, and strong when you hit four digits. We see moderate to strong in some of those bigger swells, but wind and quality kill it.
All up – if you want clean waves, aim for Tuesday the 8th morning for a small, clean session, and circle Friday the 18th morning as the standout, though it’s a long way off and forecasts can wobble. The rest of the 16 days is mostly blown out or onshore junk.
Stay salty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Sun night, light winds from the W by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 23 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1173 | 874 | 400 | 2371 | 1126 | 1353 | 418 | 541 | 541 | 511 | 1193 | 3052 | 4034 | 1421 | 1091 | 711 | 604 | 189 | 169 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:15PM1.43m | 2:29AM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:01AM0.27m | 8:26PM0.24m | |||||||
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | E 8 | SSW 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
1173 | 874 | 400 | 37 | 898 | 1353 | 418 | 541 | 541 | 511 | 314 | 3052 | 4034 | 1421 | 1091 | 994 | 552 | 383 | 232 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 28 | SSW 23 | SSW 10 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SW 12 |
— | 37 | 73 | 53 | 102 | 111 | 236 | 48 | 30 | 15 | 1193 | 173 | 71 | 36 | 263 | 711 | 604 | 189 | 169 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 10 | S 16 | S 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 | SW 12 | S 10 |
— | — | — | — | 140 | 20 | 148 | 78 | 23 | 12 | 31 | 222 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 178 | 69 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 5 | SSE 6 | S 10 | SE 9 | — | E 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | W 4 | — | — |
52 | 67 | 300 | 2371 | 1126 | — | 194 | 296 | 225 | 149 | 209 | 473 | 1066 | 1276 | 1432 | 1266 | 7 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 239 | 110 | 167 | 811 | 816 | 837 | 386 | 386 | 567 | 239 | 386 | 567 | 361 | 161 | 161 | 5 | 88 | 16 | 16 |
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.










