
Surf Forecasts:
Black Rocks surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,856 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (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 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Black Rocks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the start of this run is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a gap of no good surf from now until Monday morning, the 7th of September. The ocean’s been a mess with a strong cross-onshore wind and a lot of energy, but it’s just lumpy and poor. You’d be fighting a losing battle.
But then, Monday morning the 7th, things flip. It goes glassy – dead calm – at Black Rocks. That’s a reef break for advanced surfers only, and it’s an inconsistent one, so you gotta be patient. But when it’s on, it’s on. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so factor that in. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the WSW with a period of 14 seconds, giving it a solid groundswell feel. The combined energy is strong at 1080 (moderate to strong). It’s not a massive day, but the glassy conditions make it a standout for the cleanest waves you’ll see all week. Crowds are likely here, so get in early.
Monday afternoon stays good – a light cross-offshore breeze and a 5ft SW swell, period 13 seconds. Still clean, still good.
Tuesday the 8th drops right off. Swell down to 3ft and period dropping to 10-12 seconds. It’s marginal, light cross-shore wind. Nothing to write home about.
From Wednesday the 9th through to Friday the 11th, it’s all blown out again. Strong cross-onshore winds, choppy, lumpy. On Thursday the 10th, the swell jumps to 8ft with 16-second period, but with a 35 km/h cross-onshore wind, it’s just a washing machine. Not for paddle surfing – if you’ve got a kite, that’s your call.
The weekend of the 12th and 13th stays poor. Strong winds, messy surf. Even the 7ft SW swell on Saturday afternoon is wrecked by a 35 km/h cross-onshore.
Then, a bit of a tease on Monday the 14th – clean cross-offshore wind, but the swell is down around 3ft to 4ft. Marginal.
Now, for the real highlight in the second week. Look ahead to Saturday the 19th of September. Black Rocks finally lines up. Morning sees a 5ft SW swell, period 15 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell, so expect well-shaped waves but long waits between sets. The wind is light cross-offshore. Combined energy is strong at 1397. It’s an excellent window for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds up too with 6ft and clean conditions. That’s the one to circle on your calendar, though it’s a long-range call so keep an eye on it.
Sunday the 20th is also clean, with a 6ft SW swell and light offshore wind in the afternoon. Good, but not quite the standout of Saturday.
After that, Monday the 21st turns back to cross-onshore chop. And that’s your lot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the S on Wed afternoon, gales from the ESE by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1456 | 1108 | 538 | 919 | 444 | 205 | 173 | 130 | 208 | 245 | 645 | 3624 | 2457 | 1541 | 946 | 694 | 932 | 821 | 1958 | 1500 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:04AM1.20m | 12:47PM1.27m | 1:06AM1.32m | 1:35PM1.43m | 1:53AM1.43m | 2:16PM1.56m | 2:33AM1.51m | 2:52PM1.66m | 3:10AM1.55m | 3:26PM1.70m | 3:44AM1.55m | 3:58PM1.69m | 4:16AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:54PM0.50m | 6:32AM0.36m | 7:02PM0.35m | 7:24AM0.23m | 7:51PM0.20m | 8:05AM0.12m | 8:32PM0.09m | 8:42AM0.04m | 9:09PM0.01m | 9:16AM0.01m | 9:43PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.01m | |||||||
— | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 |
1456 | 1108 | 506 | 919 | 444 | 184 | 173 | 96 | 208 | 245 | 645 | 3624 | 2457 | 1541 | 946 | 580 | 574 | 821 | 1958 | 1500 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 7 | WSW 14 | SE 9 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | S 8 | — | SSE 8 |
63 | 147 | 538 | 39 | 189 | 205 | 78 | 130 | 24 | 22 | 256 | — | — | — | — | 64 | — | 52 | — | 207 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 7 | — | SE 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 9 | — | SSE 8 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 17 | — | — |
— | — | 36 | — | 4 | 42 | 60 | 40 | — | 7 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 243 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | S 3 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | S 5 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — |
350 | 387 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | 37 | 19 | 106 | 561 | 572 | 694 | 932 | 664 | 413 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 32 | 399 | 336 | 182 | 1282 | 33 | 33 | 22 | 14 |
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.










