Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.2°C
2.1° 

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 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,893 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with SW 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 10th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 10th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 13th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Riet River over the next sixteen days.

First off, the water is running a solid 2° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’re looking at a chilly 63° session if you’re paddling out. This is a point break, exposed to the swell, and it’s inconsistent—it doesn’t fire all the time, so when it does, you pay attention. The best swell direction is from the SSW, and that’s where most of the energy is coming from.

Right now, Monday the 7th is a write-off. Strong cross-onshore winds and a messy 7ft S swell with weak energy means it’s not worth a look. Tuesday the 8th morning is flat and small, and the wind is light cross-on, but it’s only 4ft and marginal. Things stay small and poor through Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday morning finally showing some clean conditions with a 2ft SW swell and cross-offshore wind, but it’s tiny.

The first real standout doesn’t arrive until the morning of Thursday the 17th of September. The wind is clean cross-offshore from the SW, and the swell jumps to 8ft from the SW, with a short period of 11 seconds—that’s a lot of water moving fast. The energy is strong, but this is big for a point break, and the period is short, so expect it to be a bit sectiony. It’s for experienced surfers only. The afternoon of the 17th is even better: 7ft SSW swell with a longer 14-second period, and the energy is higher. Winds are still clean cross-off. This is the best session of the whole window: consistent, clean, and powerful, just watch the crowds at this spot—they can be a problem.

Friday the 18th is a miss. The morning has an 12ft SSE swell but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy, and the period is short at 10 seconds. It’s messy and big. The afternoon drops to 8ft but stays cross-shore and choppy.

Saturday the 19th morning is a hidden gem. Light cross-offshore wind, a 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, and moderate energy. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” It’s small, but clean, and the 13-second period means it will have shape. This is a solid option for a longboard or a funboard.

Sunday the 20th morning is also worth a mention: light cross-offshore wind, 4ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period, and moderate energy. The longer period means the sets will be spaced out, but it will be clean and lined up. Perfect for a point break.

After that, Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd are a mess. Tuesday the 22nd has a massive 15ft SW swell but onshore gale-force winds—that’s a kite-surfing day, not a paddle day.

So, the two standouts: Thursday the 17th afternoon for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful wave of the period, and Saturday the 19th morning for the sneaky good clean small-wave session. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat morning, light winds from the SE by Sat night).

Mon
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
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
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
S
14
1.6
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
SSW
12
0.7
SW
12
0.6
SW
11
0.5
SSW
14
0.7
SW
13
0.7
SW
13
0.9
SSW
17
1.5
SSW
15
1.4
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SSW
12
1.1
SW
12
0.9
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
17
1.7
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
1.4
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1779
875
347
230
144
76
118
172
162
399
974
623
527
488
303
429
1769
1418
1145
765
Wind (km/h)
50
ENE
25
NE
5
NNE
20
ENE
15
NE
10
NNE
20
ENE
5
NNW
30
WSW
25
SW
15
S
20
E
25
E
30
ENE
35
E
30
ENE
15
E
15
E
25
ESE
15
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
High Tide
1:47AM1.32m
2:15PM1.43m
2:29AM1.45m
2:52PM1.60m
3:05AM1.55m
3:25PM1.71m
3:38AM1.60m
3:57PM1.77m
4:09AM1.62m
4:27PM1.77m
4:39AM1.59m
4:55PM1.71m
Low Tide
7:41PM0.41m
8:01AM0.27m
8:26PM0.24m
8:38AM0.13m
9:04PM0.12m
9:12AM0.03m
9:37PM0.03m
9:42AM-0.03m
10:08PM-0.00m
10:12AM-0.04m
10:37PM0.01m
10:40AM-0.00m
11:05PM0.06m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:16
6:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
20
20
28
27
26
31
31
28
20
21
19
19
18
18
21
20
20
20
23
20
Feels °C
12
18
28
25
24
29
30
26
17
18
18
17
15
15
17
17
21
20
24
20
  • 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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