Surf Forecasts:
Black Rocks surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, SW swell with 2,611 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Black Rocks this week:
The surf forecast for Black Rocks over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Black Rocks in the next 16 days are 2.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Black Rocks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Black Rocks.
It's a tough start. We've got a substantial swell window ahead, but for the first several days, the wind is just plain nasty. You'll see some serious size, but it's all marred by strong cross-onshore winds that are going to make the ocean a washing machine. This stretch isn't about to give you the clean lines we all crave.
Thursday the 3rd kicks things off, but don't get excited. We're looking at a cross-on wind howling at 19 mph in the morning, picking up to a near gale by the afternoon. The swell is there, around 4 ft from the WSW, but it's a messy situation.
Friday and Saturday are a write-off, with gale-force winds and blown-out conditions. Swells are hitting 10 ft to 12 ft from the SE and SSE, but with the wind howling over 34 mph, it's a nightmare out there. The combined wave energy is moderate to strong, reaching over 2000 on Thursday afternoon, but it means nothing when it's all whitewash.
We finally get a reprieve on Monday the 7th. This is the standout. The morning brings a gentle offshore breeze from the NW, cleaning up a 6 ft SW groundswell with a period of 14 seconds. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 58°F, but the conditions are clean. The afternoon has a clean offshore wind too. For an advanced reef break that’s inconsistent, this window of clean, long-period groundswell is the one to circle. The sets will be well-spaced, but the shape will be worth the paddle. The combined energy is strong at 1177. This is the only real surf on offer.
After that, it gets iffy again. Tuesday the 8th has small, weak swell and light cross-shore winds. The wave energy drops right off, with the combined energy falling to 518. It's a marginal day at best.
We get a slight clean-up on Wednesday the 9th with a light offshore wind and a 4 ft SW swell, but the period has come down and the energy is weak at 421.
From Thursday the 10th onward, it's back to the same old story: fresh to strong cross-onshore winds and messy, blown-out surf. The swell sticks around, with some solid pulses of 8 ft+ coming in from the SE and SSW, but the wind never gives us a break. The wave energy fluctuates, hitting a monstrous 9532 on the 17th of September as the swell cranks up to 10 ft from the SW with an 18-second period, but it's all for nothing with the wind. This setup looks more suited for kite surfing than anything with a paddle.
The long-range towards the 18th of September just brings more of the same: huge swell, terrible wind. It's a waiting game for the next clean window.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SE on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the ESE by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sun night, calm by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1958 | 2257 | 1482 | 1546 | 939 | 908 | 957 | 1747 | 2611 | 1456 | 1123 | 1107 | 919 | 405 | 429 | 198 | 167 | 290 | 230 | 228 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:10PM1.28m | 7:54AM1.08m | 8:29PM1.15m | 9:45AM1.03m | 10:28PM1.12m | 11:38AM1.11m | 00:04AM1.20m | 12:47PM1.27m | 1:06AM1.32m | 1:35PM1.43m | 1:53AM1.43m | 2:16PM1.56m | 2:33AM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:38AM0.42m | 1:54PM0.53m | 3:14AM0.51m | 3:56PM0.59m | 5:14AM0.48m | 5:54PM0.50m | 6:32AM0.36m | 7:02PM0.35m | 7:24AM0.23m | 7:51PM0.20m | 8:05AM0.12m | 8:32PM0.09m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 268 | 161 | 75 | 47 | 44 | 94 | 140 | 1747 | 2611 | 1456 | 1123 | 1107 | 919 | 405 | 429 | 198 | 116 | 290 | 230 | 228 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 15 | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 10 | — | S 12 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 10 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 9 | SSE 8 | — |
| kJ | 44 | — | — | 18 | 55 | 39 | 25 | 61 | — | 3 | 105 | 41 | 15 | 189 | 91 | 79 | 167 | 25 | 13 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 11 | SSW 13 | SW 25 | SW 12 | — | — | S 16 | S 14 | SSE 12 | SW 18 | SE 11 | SW 15 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 9 | 18 | 97 | 39 | — | — | 5 | 16 | 31 | 49 | 5 | 109 | 43 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | W 3 |
| kJ | 1958 | 2257 | 1482 | 1546 | 939 | 908 | 957 | 796 | 424 | 395 | 423 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 936 | 1329 | 1491 | 276 | 43 | 33 | 43 | 33 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 220 | 88 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Black Rocks Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Black Rocks provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Black Rocks can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Black Rocks 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 (Black Rocks) 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 Black Rocks 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 Cape Town? If you are looking for accommodation near Black Rocks, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 40 km (25 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bellville which is 46 km (29 miles) away, Stellenbosch, Grabouw and Kayamnandi.
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