
Surf Forecasts:
Riet River surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 5,645 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riet River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks at Riet River – this is a spot that doesn’t fire every day, but when it does, it’s a proper gem.
Right now, there’s nothing to get excited about. Wednesday is flat and weak with a tiny 1.3 ft SW swell and energy is a measly 52 – that’s barely a ripple. Winds are offshore, but it’s just not worth paddling out for. The afternoon picks up to 4.3 ft but the period drops to 7 seconds, making for a messy, weak close-out. You’re better off staying dry.
The real action kicks off on Thursday the 16th. We’ve got a solid 4.9 ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period moving in by morning, and the energy jumps to 1258 – that’s proper. Winds are light offshore from the WSW, so it’s clean and lined up. This is for experienced surfers only – the swell is over 4.9 ft and the power is real. The afternoon holds at 6.9 ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the wind turns light cross-off. This is the first standout: Thursday morning or afternoon, you’ll find long, grinding waves on this point. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird.
Friday the 17th keeps the goods rolling. Morning sees 7.2 ft SW groundswell, 13 seconds, and a moderate offshore wind from the W – energy is roaring at 1503. It’s big, it’s clean, and it’s only for the experienced crew. The afternoon eases slightly to 7.5 ft but still solid. Another strong day.
Saturday the 18th takes a turn for the worse. The wind swings NE and goes cross-onshore, chopping up the 3.9 ft to 5.2 ft SSE swell. It’s messy, not worth it.
Sunday the 19th is a mixed bag. Morning has 4.9 ft SSE swell and a fresh cross-off breeze – only marginal, but rideable. The afternoon though, it jumps to 9.8 ft SW with a 28 mph cross-off wind. That’s too big for most of us, and the period is only 9 seconds – it’s going to be a washing machine. Leave it for the tow crew.
Monday the 20th is disappointing. The swell is 6.2 ft to 7.2 ft, but the wind is cross-onshore, making it lumpy and choppy. Not recommended.
Now, here’s the big one. Starting Tuesday the 21st, we get a serious pulse. Morning has 8.2 ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period, energy at 2381, and a moderate offshore wind – clean, powerful, and for experts only. Then Tuesday afternoon hits 11.5 ft SSW with a 16-second period and energy of 5778 – that’s a beast. The wind is light cross-off, so it’s clean, but this is huge. Only the best will be out.
Wednesday the 22nd is something special. Glassy conditions. Morning has 9.8 ft SSW groundswell, 14 seconds, energy 3715, and the wind is flat calm. The afternoon is the same: 9.8 ft, glassy, perfect. This is the second standout. The point will be handling the long-period groundswell beautifully – long, clean walls. But it’s big, so don’t be fooled; this is expert territory.
From the 23rd through the 25th, the swell stays between 7.5 ft and 11.5 ft, but the winds get messy – cross-off, cross-onshore, or strong breezes. It’s not clean enough to recommend for the average surfer, though there are rideable moments if you’re keen.
The 26th (Sunday) brings a nice calm morning: 7.5 ft SSW groundswell, 13 seconds, glassy with no wind. Energy is 1764. That’s a good session for experienced surfers, clean and punchy. The afternoon stays light and clean.
The 27th throws a 13.1 ft to 14.8 ft SSE swell with a short 10-second period – that’s just a wall of white water. Onshore winds. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
The 28th Tuesday morning drops to 5.6 ft from the SE with a cross-shore breeze – not great. But Tuesday afternoon? That’s a sneaky gem: 3.6 ft SSW groundswell with an 18-second period—very long period—and glassy conditions. The energy is 1751. For a point break, this long-period swell will wrap in beautifully, offering clean, lined-up waves. It’s smaller, so it’s accessible for intermediates too.
Finally, the 29th and 30th wrap up the run. Wednesday the 29th is a standout: 8.2 ft SSW, 16 seconds, offshore wind, energy 3044 – clean,
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Fri night, strong winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SW 7 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SW 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
67 | 38 | 156 | 773 | 850 | 1457 | 966 | 1503 | 1460 | 887 | 403 | 807 | 820 | 556 | 1435 | 1168 | 862 | 1381 | 1175 | 2248 | 5645 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:12AM1.61m | 4:41PM1.63m | 4:53AM1.59m | 5:22PM1.66m | 5:32AM1.54m | 6:01PM1.63m | 6:10AM1.45m | 6:40PM1.56m | 6:47AM1.34m | 7:18PM1.46m | 7:25AM1.23m | 7:58PM1.34m | 8:07AM1.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:04PM0.12m | 10:26AM0.01m | 10:49PM0.10m | 11:04AM-0.00m | 11:31PM0.12m | 11:41AM0.03m | 00:11AM0.18m | 12:17PM0.10m | 00:51AM0.27m | 12:52PM0.20m | 1:31AM0.37m | 1:28PM0.33m | 2:13AM0.48m | 2:08PM0.46m | |||||||
— | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | |
5:21 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 |
511 | 434 | 392 | 773 | 850 | 1457 | 966 | 1503 | 1460 | 887 | 403 | 807 | 820 | 556 | 418 | 1168 | 862 | 1381 | 1175 | 2248 | 5645 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | E 10 | SW 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 10 | SW 10 | E 6 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 11 | S 13 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
67 | 38 | 29 | 302 | 408 | 326 | 210 | 164 | 130 | 125 | 268 | 96 | 81 | 90 | 49 | 268 | 402 | 176 | 158 | 133 | 133 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 17 | E 11 | SE 11 | S 10 | — | — | S 13 | SW 10 | S 11 | E 10 | SSW 13 | S 10 | E 10 | SE 11 | E 10 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | ENE 7 |
14 | 14 | 9 | 195 | 332 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 117 | 196 | 116 | 69 | 142 | 18 | 31 | 228 | 17 | 4 | 11 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | WSW 9 | SW 6 | SW 9 | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | — |
13 | 33 | 156 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | 80 | 100 | 321 | 1435 | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 135 | 127 | 0 | 167 | 332 | 0 | 5 | 142 | 0 | 0 | 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.











