Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.5° C
2.4° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 7,266 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period with SSE 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 9s. 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 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Sun 19th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Hey folks, Rusty here with the Riet River outlook. This point break is a bit of a hidden gem – inconsistent, but when it fires it's a treat. The water's sitting at 63.5°F right now, which is a solid 4.3°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a good thick wetsuit.

We've got a stretch of surf coming up, but the real quality is concentrated in a few windows. The first action kicks off Sunday morning, 19 July, with a clean 4.6ft swell from the SSE, period 10 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze. Combined energy is moderate at 832. Not huge, but rideable. By Sunday afternoon the swell picks up a touch to 5.2ft, though the wind gets a bit stronger – still cross-off though. Monday morning 20 July is a standout: 8.2ft from the WSW with a solid 9-second period and offshore wind. That's a proper punch at 2559 combined energy – excellent for experienced surfers, but beginners should sit this one out. Monday afternoon drops to 5.2ft but the period stretches to 11 seconds, still clean and cross-off.

Tuesday 21 July morning is glassy with a tiny 3.0ft SSW groundswell, period 16 seconds – very long period. That's a point break dream, but the size is small. The combined energy is 976, moderate. Tuesday afternoon it jumps to 5.6ft but the wind goes onshore, so not ideal.

Wednesday 22 July morning is another glassy gem: 5.9ft SSW at 13 seconds, clean as a whistle. Combined energy 1335 – strong. Wednesday afternoon stays clean with a cross-off. Thursday 23 July has a 6.9ft SW swell but with a short 8-second period and fresh offshore wind at 19 mph – that's a

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun night, calm by Tue morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night).

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
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
2
3
4
4
3
3
4
3
4
3
2
3
2
5
0
3
4
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SSE
10
1.6
SE
10
2.5
SW
10
2.5
WSW
9
1.8
SW
10
1.4
SE
12
0.9
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
13
1.6
SSW
12
1.6
SSW
12
2.1
SW
8
2.5
SW
10
3
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
16
3
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
371
441
1278
1256
629
497
400
1204
1668
1083
759
703
593
1309
3324
5892
3956
2329
2671
2349
1487
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
20
SSW
30
W
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
W
5
E
10
ESE
5
NNE
5
N
10
SSW
30
WSW
35
W
30
SW
10
N
20
NE
15
ENE
10
W
10
SW
10
SSW
5
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:18PM1.46m
7:25AM1.23m
7:58PM1.34m
8:07AM1.11m
8:43PM1.22m
9:04AM1.01m
9:48PM1.11m
10:42AM0.94m
11:28PM1.07m
12:38PM0.97m
00:57AM1.11m
1:46PM1.07m
1:54AM1.19m
Low Tide
12:52PM0.20m
1:31AM0.37m
1:28PM0.33m
2:13AM0.48m
2:08PM0.46m
3:06AM0.57m
3:01PM0.58m
4:25AM0.63m
4:30PM0.66m
6:15AM0.62m
6:27PM0.66m
7:32AM0.54m
7:41PM0.58m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
 mm
2
Temp °C
17
18
16
17
19
16
16
17
17
19
23
17
17
19
16
17
20
18
17
17
15
Feels °C
16
17
11
13
15
15
16
16
18
18
22
13
11
13
15
14
19
17
16
15
15
  • 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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