Riet River Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.58° S 26.93° E

Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Riet River sea temperature is
17.4° C
2.5° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 5,364 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 22) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 12s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Wed 22nd Jul)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf 8AM (Fri 24th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 18s
Most Powerful 2PM (Fri 24th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, I’m looking at the only spot in the file here, and it’s a point break. The water is running at 63°F right now, which is 5°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a solid chill, so you’ll want a thicker suit.

The first few days are a bit of a slow burn. Tuesday afternoon the 21st sees a 5ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a very long 15-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1451. That’s a lot of power, but the wind is light onshore, which will mess with the face a bit. It’s a marginal call.

But Wednesday morning the 22nd, that’s where it gets interesting. The swell holds at 6ft from the SSW, still a nice 13-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s a true beauty. The break is Riet River, a point, so that long-period groundswell will line up perfectly. The energy is strong at 1363, and with glassy conditions, you’re looking at clean, peeling lines. This is the standout of the whole run.

Thursday morning the 23rd drops a bit to 5ft, with a moderate cross-off breeze, but it’s still clean. The real gem, though, is Friday morning the 24th. The swell has bumped up to a solid 8ft from the SSW, with a massive 16-second period. The combined energy is a beast at 4249. Wind is a light cross-off, so it’s clean. This is proper, powerful groundswell on a point – it’s going to be a freight train. That’s expert territory at that size, but for the experienced crew, it’s unreal.

Saturday morning the 25th is another good one: 7ft, glassy, and a 14-second period. That’s a great morning session. After that, the swell drops a bit, and the wind gets a little funky, but there are still clean windows.

The 28th and 29th bring another pulse of big energy. Tuesday morning the 28th has 6ft at 16 seconds, but a light cross-on breeze. Tuesday afternoon, though, is 7ft with a 16-second period and a clean cross-off wind – that’s another big, powerful session. The swell energy is 3296. Wednesday the 29th gets windy, with a strong cross-off, but it’s still clean. The swell is 7ft, but the wind is howling at 22 mph, so it’s going to be a battle.

The end of the run fades out. From the 31st through to the 5th of August, the swell drops off hard, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, creating poor conditions. The 31st afternoon has an 8ft swell at 18 seconds, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore that’ll turn it into a lumpy mess. That’s only for the hardcore, or honestly, it looks more like a kite-surfing day with that much wind and size on a point.

The best on offer is hands down Wednesday morning the 22nd with the glassy conditions and solid 6ft SSW groundswell, and Friday morning the 24th for the big, powerful, long-period stuff. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SW by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
4
3
3
2
2
2
5
5
2
4
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
3
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
2.2
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
12
1.7
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
2.1
SW
12
3
SSW
11
2.3
SSW
16
3
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
2
SSW
14
2
SSW
13
2.1
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
12
1.6
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1091
1708
1083
893
905
624
1141
2053
2777
4649
2441
1601
1366
1442
904
722
615
669
658
575
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
15
NE
5
NW
25
SW
25
W
20
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
10
SW
10
ESE
15
NNE
5
NE
15
ENE
20
NE
15
NNE
15
NE
10
NNW
15
SW
15
SSW
5
NE
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
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
2:30PM1.17m
2:35AM1.29m
3:05PM1.28m
3:09AM1.38m
Low Tide
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
8:19AM0.44m
8:27PM0.48m
8:54AM0.33m
9:03PM0.38m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
 mm
7
Temp °C
17
15
19
20
15
16
18
16
17
17
15
16
18
16
23
28
25
23
22
19
Feels °C
16
14
18
18
12
12
14
10
14
15
12
15
16
13
19
24
21
20
19
22
  • 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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