Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
18.4°C
1.0° 

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 28 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,461 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Sat 29th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Best Surf 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. We've got a bit of a tease on our hands for Riet River over the next fortnight, but if you pick your moments, there's a proper gem waiting. This point break is a fickle one – it's inconsistent, but when it lines up, it's a beauty. The water temp’s sittin' about average for the time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

The forecast kicks off with a bit of a nothing burger this Saturday and Sunday. We've got swell, but the wind is all over the shop, making a mess of it. Saturday morning sees a 3ft S'ly swell with an 11-second interval, but a strong cross-offshore wind is just robbing it of any real quality. It's a write-off. Sunday's a bit of a non-event too, with a short, weak 6-second period on offer. We're lookin' at two days of cranky, poor conditions, so don't even bother.

Now, Monday the 31st of August is where it gets interesting. The wind drops right out – we're talking glassy conditions with a slight air. That's a major positive. The swell bumps up a touch to 5ft from the SW with a solid 11-second interval, and the combined energy is moderate to strong (507). It's forecast to be very good surf. This is the standout of the whole period. The S'ly wind early is a cross-off, which is exactly what this exposed point wants to see, and it's cleaning up the lines perfectly. Get amongst it, because this is the best it'll get for a while.

The rest of the first week and into the second is a frustrating story of swell and wind not playing nice. Tuesday the 1st of September has clean 5ft SW swell and a gentle breeze, but it's only rated as marginal. Wednesday the 2nd brings a bigger 8ft SW swell (strong energy at 2386) but it's onshore and blown out in the arvo, making it a no-go. This is expert-only territory anyway, and with the shit wind, it's a skip.

We then hit a long, dry spell of garbage conditions. From Thursday the 3rd right through to Friday the 11th of September, it's just poor surf day after poor surf day. The wind is relentless – strong cross-onshore, onshore, and even near gale-force gusts. The swell energy is there sometimes, but it's all messy and choppy. You'd be better off checking the kite surfers if you see this setup. There's a solid 17-second groundswell on the 6th, but it's tiny at 3ft and the rest of the window is blown out. Not worth the paddle.

Finally, on Saturday the 12th of September, we get a glimmer. A 7ft SW swell rolls in with a strong energy (1539) and a fresh cross-offshore wind. The morning session is clean, though the size is pushing into expert territory. It's only a marginal call, but it's the best we've seen in a week and a half. Sunday the 13th has a similar 7ft SSW swell with a light cross-on, which is a slight downgrade in quality, but the energy is still there (1618). These two days are your last chance to get a wave, but the quality isn't anywhere near that Monday morning perfection. If you're keen, go early on the Saturday.

Stay safe, keep an eye on that offshore wind, and don't sleep on that Monday the 31st.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 32°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds.

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
2
3
3
1
2
1
2
4
3
0
2
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)
1.2
S
11
1
S
11
0.7
SSE
11
0.5
S
11
1.4
SW
6
1.8
SW
9
1.6
SW
12
1.4
SW
11
1.3
SW
11
1.1
SW
11
1.4
SW
11
1.7
SSW
12
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SSW
13
2
SSW
12
1.6
SW
12
1.7
SSW
12
2.5
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
357
248
128
61
167
577
633
497
403
325
471
731
2207
2386
2128
1177
689
789
786
Wind (km/h)
15
N
25
NNW
35
SW
20
WSW
30
SW
25
WSW
10
W
5
SSE
10
ESE
10
NW
15
SW
15
S
20
W
10
S
25
E
20
ENE
20
SSE
40
SSE
25
SE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
4:13AM1.59m
4:32PM1.71m
4:41AM1.59m
4:59PM1.72m
5:10AM1.56m
5:28PM1.69m
5:40AM1.50m
6:00PM1.61m
6:14AM1.39m
6:35PM1.48m
6:52AM1.26m
7:19PM1.32m
Low Tide
10:11PM0.08m
10:17AM-0.01m
10:39PM0.05m
10:44AM-0.02m
11:09PM0.05m
11:13AM0.02m
11:39PM0.09m
11:43AM0.09m
00:13AM0.18m
12:16PM0.20m
00:51AM0.31m
12:55PM0.35m
1:41AM0.46m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:28
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
 mm
1
3
1
1
11
4
Temp °C
30
32
30
19
16
15
15
16
16
16
17
17
16
17
18
18
18
16
18
Feels °C
26
26
26
16
12
10
12
16
15
15
15
15
11
16
15
14
16
8
15
  • 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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