Surf Forecasts:
Black Rocks surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, WSW swell with 2,184 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Black Rocks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s cooking at Black Rocks.
This is an advanced reef break that can be inconsistent, so you gotta read it right. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll want a thick wetsuit.
The best of the whole run is Thursday the 13th, especially the afternoon. We’re talking a solid 6ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period, packing some serious energy (1805). The wind goes cross-offshore, cleaning it right up. That’s the standout – experienced surfers only, but it’s gonna be special. The morning’s also good with a bigger 7ft SW swell (2655 energy), just a little lumpy from a cross-onshore breeze.
Friday the 14th is smaller, around 5ft, but still clean. A good easy day.
Saturday the 15th morning is a beauty. Swell drops to 5ft from the WSW, period 14 seconds, and the wind is glass – dead calm. The energy is moderate (705), but for a reef break, that clean, lined-up swell is a rare treat. Expect crowds when it’s this good.
Sunday the 16th picks up again with 5ft to 6ft from the WSW, clean cross-offshore wind, and building energy (871 to 1208). A solid, reliable day.
Monday the 17th morning is another standout. That 7ft WSW swell (1599 energy) with a light cross-offshore breeze and 13-second period is going to dish out some powerful, well-shaped waves. Pros only.
The rest of the first week holds decent 5ft to 6ft swells, but by the 19th afternoon, the wind turns onshore and it gets messy – stay out of the water.
There’s a dead stretch from Thursday the 20th through Monday the 24th. Strong cross-onshore winds, lumpy and choppy, with swell dropping to 4ft to 5ft. Not worth it.
Things recover Tuesday the 25th morning – clean with 6ft from the SSW (830 energy) and barely any wind. A nice calm session.
The final few days (26th to 28th August) see the swell pumping up to 8ft to 10ft from the SW with massive energy (up to 3652). But the wind stays cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s messy and dangerous. Only for the hardcore, and even then, it’s a fight.
Overall, the best bets are the Thursday 13th afternoon and Monday 17th morning. Get out there before the wind gets ugly.
Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1728 | 1193 | 881 | 869 | 710 | 690 | 791 | 889 | 862 | 1356 | 2038 | 1599 | 1384 | 793 | 1154 | 1201 | 1357 | 954 | 773 | 821 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 3:53PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:30PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | 5:05PM1.64m | 5:21AM1.43m | 5:39PM1.55m | 5:56AM1.33m | 6:12PM1.43m | 6:31AM1.21m | 6:47PM1.29m | 7:10AM1.10m | 7:27PM1.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:08PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.01m | 10:46PM0.04m | 10:51AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.10m | 11:24AM0.13m | 11:56PM0.19m | 11:56AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:29PM0.37m | 1:07AM0.42m | 1:04PM0.50m | 1:53AM0.54m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 22 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 21 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 1728 | 1193 | 881 | 869 | 710 | 690 | 791 | 889 | 862 | 1356 | 2038 | 1599 | 1384 | 793 | 1154 | 1201 | 1357 | 954 | 773 | 821 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | SSE 4 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | WSW 16 | SW 14 | W 12 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 77 | 60 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 52 | 2 | 9 | — | — | — | 50 | 573 | 705 | 432 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 12 | — | — | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | — | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | ESE 10 | — | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | — | — | 17 | 9 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 8 | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | S 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 28 | 47 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 21 | 21 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
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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