Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.6°C
1.9° 

Riet River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Riet River surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 5,465 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 8AM (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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 25th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 13s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 26th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Riet River on the south coast. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, with some real potential if you can pick the right session.

The first few days are pretty average, I won’t lie. Tuesday the 25th offers a clean 5ft SSW swell, but the cross-off wind is from the WSW at 16 mph. It’s surfable, but the energy is moderate (2448). The water is a bit colder than normal at 64°F. It’s inconsistent here anyway, so you take what you get. Wednesday the 26th blows out with strong onshore winds and a big, messy 10ft swell – that's a write-off for paddling, maybe more for the kite crew. Thursday the 27th is lumpy with fresh cross-onshore wind. Friday the 28th morning is the first real bright spot: a clean 5ft S swell (685 energy) with a nice cross-off breeze from the NNW at 9 mph. That’s your best early bet, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a non-stop party. That window is small.

We hit a lull from Saturday the 29th through to Monday the 31st. The swell drops right off and the wind is all over the place. A few small cleanish windows on Sunday and Monday afternoons with a light cross-off, but the swell is weak and short period – not worth rushing out for.

Now, the standout. Look ahead to Wednesday the 2nd of September. That morning is the one. We’ve got a solid 10ft groundswell from the SSW with a very long 14-second period and a massive 3132 energy reading. The kicker? Dead calm, glassy conditions. This is proper gear – only for experienced surfers at that size. The point should handle that long period well and offer up some proper lines. The wind stays clean in the morning before a strong cross-off hits in the arvo. That morning session is your gold.

The days after that get big again on the 4th but with howling NE cross-on winds. The 6th of September sees another huge 7ft SSW groundswell (4251 energy), but again, strong onshore winds ruin it. The 7th of September morning cleans up nicely with a 5ft S swell and light cross-off, a fun little make-up session for the milder crew.

After that, the swell fades right away into the second week, with tiny, weak surf. The 8th offers a 2ft SW swell with offshore wind from the WSW, so if you’ve got a log, that Tuesday afternoon might be your only window.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is hands-down Wednesday morning the 2nd of September for the experienced surfer, with Friday the 28th being the pick for someone wanting clean, smaller waves. There’s a long gap between the 29th and the 1st with very little to recommend. Keep your eyes peeled on the forecasts for that 2nd though – it could be a cracker.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ENE on Wed night, calm by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 34°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat night).

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
3
0
0
2
0
0
1
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
16
2.2
SSW
14
3
S
17
3
S
15
2.5
SSW
13
1.9
S
12
1.8
S
12
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.3
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.5
S
11
1.8
SW
6
1.8
SW
7
0.9
SW
13
2.2
SW
10
1.7
SSW
9
0.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1271
1358
1949
5304
4353
2022
1116
972
734
528
476
411
300
160
61
231
279
268
863
453
228
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
20
SW
5
SW
25
E
40
E
55
ENE
35
NE
30
ENE
0
N
15
NNW
5
NE
20
NNE
20
N
5
E
35
WSW
25
SW
15
SSW
10
ESE
15
SW
20
SW
20
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
2:47PM1.33m
2:51AM1.39m
3:13PM1.46m
3:18AM1.48m
3:39PM1.57m
3:45AM1.55m
4:05PM1.66m
4:13AM1.59m
4:32PM1.71m
4:41AM1.59m
4:59PM1.72m
5:10AM1.56m
5:28PM1.69m
Low Tide
8:36AM0.32m
8:48PM0.35m
9:01AM0.20m
9:16PM0.24m
9:26AM0.10m
9:44PM0.15m
9:51AM0.03m
10:11PM0.08m
10:17AM-0.01m
10:39PM0.05m
10:44AM-0.02m
11:09PM0.05m
11:13AM0.02m
11:39PM0.09m
part cloud
clear
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:50
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
 mm
2
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
16
17
16
17
18
17
21
25
23
29
34
31
33
32
22
19
19
18
19
18
18
Feels °C
12
12
14
13
13
9
15
22
23
26
31
27
29
31
20
15
16
18
18
14
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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