Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 2,756 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s 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 (Aug 03) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s 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 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about Riet River.
Alright, so we’ve got a solid 16-day window here, but it’s a bit of a slow burn. The first few days are a write-off, to be honest. The wind is howling onshore from July 30th right through to August 1st, and the swell is all over the place. It’s not worth paddling out. You’ll be fighting a losing battle.
Things start to look a little more promising from August 4th. We get a bit of a clean-up on the Tuesday morning with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft SSW swell. The combined energy is weak (358), so it’s not going to be pumping, but it’s a start. August 6th is where it gets interesting. Thursday morning we’re looking at a proper 7ft SSW groundswell (14-second period) with clean conditions and a light cross-offshore wind. The wave energy is moderate (1929), and it’s shaping up to be excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your first real standout.
Then, hold onto your board. August 8th Saturday afternoon is a true beaut. We’ve got a solid 10ft SSW swell, 14-second period, with a clean cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is strong (3273), and it’s another one for the experienced crew. That’s the best of the bunch for the first week.
The second week keeps the energy up. August 12th Wednesday morning is a cracker with a 6ft SW swell and a clean offshore wind. August 13th Thursday morning brings a massive 12ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period, but the offshore wind is strong, making it a tough paddle. The real highlight of the second week, and possibly the whole forecast, is August 14th Friday morning. Clean, light air, an 12ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds, and strong wave energy (4399). This is for the big dogs only.
Remember, Riet River is an inconsistent point break. It doesn’t fire all the time, so when it lines up like this, you’ve got to be on it. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 793 | 679 | 606 | 430 | 216 | 147 | 87 | 491 | 973 | 158 | 172 | 210 | 351 | 251 | 358 | 392 | 303 | 198 | 742 | 2756 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:34PM1.54m | 4:37AM1.52m | 5:02PM1.58m | 5:06AM1.52m | 5:30PM1.60m | 5:35AM1.49m | 5:59PM1.59m | 6:06AM1.44m | 6:31PM1.55m | 6:40AM1.35m | 7:08PM1.47m | 7:21AM1.24m | 7:53PM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:36PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.06m | 11:05PM0.17m | 11:14AM0.05m | 11:36PM0.17m | 11:42AM0.08m | 00:08AM0.20m | 12:12PM0.13m | 00:43AM0.25m | 12:45PM0.21m | 1:24AM0.33m | 1:25PM0.32m | 2:16AM0.44m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 27 | 30 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 27 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | SSW 13 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 521 | 477 | 517 | 430 | 216 | 147 | 87 | 491 | 973 | 158 | 900 | 680 | 584 | 490 | 388 | 320 | 251 | 160 | 742 | 2756 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | — | W 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 11 | SW 12 | S 10 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 793 | 679 | 606 | — | 6 | 11 | 25 | 44 | 77 | 16 | 172 | 210 | 351 | 251 | 358 | 392 | 303 | 198 | 160 | 132 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | SW 11 | SSW 16 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 15 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SW 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33 | 31 | 18 | 86 | 87 | 12 | 104 | — | — | — | 71 | 132 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 11 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 5 | — | SW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 565 | 665 | 764 | 900 | 1100 | 85 | 1302 | 1060 | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 29 | — | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 167 | 16 | 361 | 386 | 133 | 301 | 329 | 136 | 161 | 161 | 5 | 5 | 96 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 96 | 190 | 123 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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