Black Rocks surf break

Black Rocks surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 am Monday 18 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Black Rocks surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Black Rocks sea temperature is
16.6° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Thursday (May 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. 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 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 21st May)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 2PM (Sun 24th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 16s
Most Powerful 2PM (Mon 25th May)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Black Rocks over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Mon night, light winds from the NNW by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
AM
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.5
SSE
8
1.2
SSE
8
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
752
647
1122
1003
488
1012
449
300
179
106
98
258
318
492
528
537
641
696
504
1068
1688
Wind (km/h)
45
SE
55
SE
60
ESE
45
ESE
45
ESE
30
ESE
30
ESE
25
SE
10
ESE
10
NW
20
NW
20
NNW
20
NNW
10
W
15
SW
10
S
15
S
15
S
5
SSE
10
SSE
25
SE
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
High Tide
4:28PM1.51m
4:43AM1.54m
5:17PM1.46m
5:34AM1.43m
6:11PM1.39m
6:31AM1.30m
7:12PM1.32m
7:37AM1.17m
8:23PM1.26m
8:56AM1.09m
9:38PM1.25m
10:19AM1.07m
10:47PM1.26m
Low Tide
10:16AM-0.00m
10:34PM0.14m
11:03AM0.08m
11:26PM0.22m
11:53AM0.18m
00:24AM0.31m
12:48PM0.29m
1:33AM0.40m
1:52PM0.39m
2:54AM0.46m
3:06PM0.45m
4:17AM0.45m
4:22PM0.48m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:50
5:49
5:49
5:47
5:47
5:46
Temp °C
17
18
17
17
19
17
17
20
20
18
19
17
17
18
18
17
17
17
16
16
17
10
10
7
8
15
9
13
17
19
17
16
15
14
18
17
16
16
15
16
15
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.7
S
11
0.6
S
11
1.2
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
8
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
14
Energy kJ
752
647
431
336
331
154
116
88
179
98
67
258
318
492
528
537
641
696
380
1068
1688
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
10
0.9
S
8
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
15
0.3
SSE
14
0.1
S
19
0.6
SW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.5
S
11
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
11
0.6
WSW
10
0.5
S
6
0.5
S
5
0.2
S
9
0.3
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
1
SW
16
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
11
Energy kJ
33
93
11
18
38
7
114
67
61
106
90
77
73
15
11
6
57
194
504
25
23
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
13
0.3
SSE
13
0.1
S
17
0.2
SSE
14
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
15
0.4
SW
14
0.3
SSE
11
0.4
SW
20
0.6
S
6
0.5
SSE
6
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
9
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
9
0.2
SSE
13
0.3
SSE
12
0.1
E
11
Energy kJ
55
31
6
19
25
22
68
22
98
31
21
17
16
3
2
16
27
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SE
6
2.4
SSE
7
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.5
SSE
8
0.4
NW
3
0.4
SSE
5
0.5
SSE
3
0.4
SSE
4
Energy kJ
160
480
1122
1003
488
1012
449
300
2
9
6
5
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
4
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
2
4
4
Distance (km)
43
43
43
33
25
22
22
9
5
0
4
4
20
0
0
9
5
5
3
5
9
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
4
  • 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 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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