Surf Forecasts:
Rivermouth surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 2,628 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rivermouth this week:
The surf forecast for Rivermouth over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rivermouth in the next 16 days are 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rivermouth over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag at Rivermouth over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got some clean windows, but plenty of days where the wind just kills it. Let’s break it down.
The standout is Wednesday afternoon, August 19th. We’re looking at a 4ft SSW swell, with a solid 13-second period – that’s a nice groundswell with some real energy (648 combined energy). The wind goes glassy, ESE at just 3 mph. That’s the kind of afternoon you dream about; clean, nothing but you and the ocean. Rivermouth is a beginner-friendly spot too, and it’s very consistent. Water temp is 64°, which is about 3° cooler than average – a bit nippier than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a spring suit.
Now, if you miss that, Thursday morning, August 27th, is your next real shot. It’s a clear morning with an offshore NW breeze at 6 mph. The swell is 4ft from the S, 12-second period, with a combined energy of 565. That offshore wind will have it looking clean and lined up. This one’s a solid choice.
In between those two highlights, there’s a long gap of mostly poor conditions. A few mornings, like Saturday the 23rd, have a 5ft swell, but the wind is cross or cross-on and the quality is marginal. Thursday afternoon, August 20th, actually sees the biggest swell of the period at 8ft from the SSW, 14-second period and a hefty 2085 combined energy. But the wind is cross-on from the S at 6 mph, and the report says marginal – that’s a lot of power but messy conditions, probably too big for beginners and more of a challenge for experienced surfers.
Looking further out, into the last week of August and start of September, things get small and choppy. There’s a brief clean-up on Wednesday afternoon, September 2nd: a 3ft E swell, 9-second period, with glassy conditions from the ESE at 3 mph. That’s a promising little window for a longboard or a funboard, but don’t expect much power (232 combined energy). The swell direction is from the E, and the guidance says optimum is from the S, so it’s not firing perfectly.
Overall, if you’re keen, mark your calendar for Wednesday afternoon the 19th and Thursday morning the 27th. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 14 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 563 | 367 | 285 | 2628 | 1192 | 589 | 480 | 341 | 593 | 467 | 619 | 432 | 452 | 403 | 447 | 589 | 849 | 721 | 1749 | 805 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:30PM1.23m | 7:39AM1.06m | 8:10PM1.08m | 8:39AM0.93m | 10:07PM0.97m | 12:31PM0.91m | 00:55AM1.03m | 1:46PM1.05m | 1:49AM1.16m | 2:21PM1.19m | 2:24AM1.29m | 2:49PM1.34m | 2:53AM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:44AM0.55m | 1:44PM0.58m | 2:39AM0.67m | 2:48PM0.72m | 5:33AM0.73m | 6:24PM0.74m | 7:32AM0.61m | 7:43PM0.62m | 8:09AM0.47m | 8:20PM0.49m | 8:37AM0.33m | 8:50PM0.36m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 23 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 14 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 563 | 367 | 142 | 2628 | 1192 | 589 | 480 | 341 | 593 | 467 | 288 | 432 | 452 | 403 | 447 | 589 | 849 | 721 | 1749 | 805 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 8 | SSW 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | S 12 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 19 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 35 | 66 | 213 | 21 | 12 | 12 | — | 5 | 67 | 29 | 299 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 577 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | NE 8 | SW 17 | ENE 9 | NE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 9 | E 9 | — |
| kJ | 56 | — | 237 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | E 8 | ENE 5 | SW 4 | SSW 7 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 |
| kJ | — | 90 | 285 | — | — | — | 12 | 32 | 20 | 395 | 619 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 260 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 166 | 433 | 117 | 433 | 455 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 26 | 31 | 0 | 103 | 433 | 182 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Rivermouth Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Rivermouth provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Rivermouth can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rivermouth 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 (Rivermouth) 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 Rivermouth 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 - Wild Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Rivermouth, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Eastern Cape - Wild Coast, consider staying in East London which is 26 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Eastern Cape - Wild Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Butterworth which is 59 km (37 miles) away, Stutterheim and Bisho.
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