Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
16.3°C
3.0° 

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 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, SW swell with 1,131 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riet River in the next 16 days are 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Mon 14th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 20th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 16th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Right, gather 'round, let's talk about Riet River. This is a point break that's inconsistent, so when it works, it's a bit of a special event. Don't expect it to be pumping every day.

We've got a bit of a slow start, to be honest. The first few days are looking pretty rough. This Sunday the 13th, there's some size with a 6ft SSW swell, but the wind is howling onshore and it's just a mess. The water's also a frigid 61°F, which is a massive 5°F colder than usual for this time of year – way, way colder than normal. Not worth getting out of bed for. That kind of wind and rain keeps us off the water right through Monday.

Now, Tuesday the 15th, we get a little flicker of hope. The morning sees a clean 3ft SSW swell with a light offshore wind from the west. It's small, but it's clean. The combined wave energy is weak (183), so it'll be a gentle session. Wednesday the 16th is more interesting, but tricky. We've got a solid 5ft to 6ft SW swell rolling in, with moderate wave energy (1047-1224), and the wind is cross-offshore, keeping things clean. But the quality is still just marginal; the tide might be playing games.

There's a bit of a lull, and then we get to the real standout in the longer range. Sunday the 20th of September is where it gets wild. The morning brings a massive 18ft SE swell, with a very strong combined wave energy of 7377. This is a serious, expert-only groundswell. The wind is cross-onshore, so it'll be lumpy, but the raw power is undeniable. This is a proper event for the big-wave crew, but beginners stay well clear.

Following that, Monday the 21st still has some good size, with 10ft to 12ft S swells, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds. That makes it more of a windswell, and with the wind still cross-offshore, it's another one for experienced surfers only.

The final worthwhile window looks to be Saturday the 27th. By then, the swell drops to a clean 5ft to 6ft from the SW, and the wind turns light offshore or cross-offshore. This is the pick of the bunch for the average surfer. The combined energy is moderate (669-748), but it will be clean, rideable, and much more inviting than the monster swell a week earlier.

Overall, if you're an expert, mark your calendar for the 20th. For everyone else, the 27th is your best shot at some clean, fun waves. The rest of the period is a write-off with onshore winds and poor conditions.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Thu night, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat morning).

Sun
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
1
1
2
0
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
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
15
1.3
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
13
1
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
11
0.9
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
2.1
SW
11
1.6
SSW
9
2.4
SSE
8
1.3
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.2
SW
11
1.2
SW
12
1.3
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
12
1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1091
649
396
307
222
160
169
263
766
1106
443
627
538
472
380
400
572
397
282
202
Wind (km/h)
45
E
45
NE
15
ENE
10
S
25
WSW
10
WSW
15
ESE
10
N
35
SW
25
S
25
SE
25
SE
20
SE
10
SE
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
E
40
ENE
35
ENE
30
ENE
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
4:55PM1.71m
5:07AM1.53m
5:22PM1.62m
5:33AM1.44m
5:47PM1.49m
5:59AM1.33m
6:12PM1.35m
6:24AM1.21m
6:37PM1.21m
6:51AM1.07m
7:06PM1.06m
7:36AM0.93m
8:24PM0.93m
Low Tide
11:05PM0.06m
11:07AM0.07m
11:31PM0.14m
11:33AM0.18m
11:56PM0.25m
11:59AM0.30m
00:22AM0.38m
12:25PM0.44m
00:51AM0.51m
12:54PM0.59m
1:34AM0.65m
1:45PM0.73m
4:33AM0.74m
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:01
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
 mm
1
4
1
2
4
23
3
4
6
3
1
Temp °C
18
19
21
23
20
22
23
19
17
15
15
14
14
16
15
17
17
18
18
18
Feels °C
11
16
21
26
21
21
22
18
12
12
13
9
8
12
10
11
11
10
11
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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