
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 6,120 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Boneyards this week:
The surf forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Boneyards has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. This is a reef break that’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a non-stop show, but when it does line up, it can be a gem. The water’s running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, about 58°F, which is a touch uncomfortable without a good suit, but it’s nothing too wild.
The opening stretch is a bit of a mess, to be honest. Saturday the 8th kicks off with a cross-shore breeze and a lumpy 10ft swell, but the conditions are marginal, and the tide’s questionable. The afternoon cleans up a touch with a cross-offshore wind and a 13ft swell, but it’s still not firing on all cylinders. The swell energy is strong (6120), but the shape isn’t there. Sunday the 9th gets blown out by a strong 40 km/h SSE wind, making things pretty average. Monday the 10th is more of the same – strong winds, and a wave that’s just not cooperating. We’re looking at a few days of not much happening here.
Things start to settle down from Tuesday the 11th. The winds turn offshore, and while the swell drops to around 4ft to 6ft, the energy is weak (965). It’s clean, but it’s small and weak. Wednesday the 12th is where it gets interesting. A long-period groundswell from the SW rolls in at 18 seconds, with clean offshore winds. The swell is a solid 6ft to 7ft, and the wave energy is moderate (2165). This is a proper reef wave, and that long period means it’ll be lining up nicely. This is looking like a good session for the experienced crew.
Thursday the 13th is the standout of the first week. The swell builds to 8ft from the SW with a 17-second period, and in the afternoon, the wind goes glassy. The energy is strong (4161), and the conditions are described as excellent. This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a big, powerful wave, so it’s for experts, but if you can handle it, it’ll be memorable. Friday the 14th fades a bit with more cross-shore wind and a smaller 6ft swell. The weekend of the 15th and 16th is a mixed bag, with onshore winds on Saturday making things poor, but Sunday the 16th sees a return to cleaner conditions with a moderate offshore breeze and a 7ft swell.
Now, looking a bit further out. Monday the 17th is another big one. There’s a 10ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period, and the morning is completely glassy. The energy is very strong (5091), and it’s flagged as exceptional for experts. This is another serious day. After that, the middle of the week drops back down to more manageable 6ft to 7ft surf, clean and glassy, but not as powerful.
The real beast shows up on Thursday the 20th. The swell jumps to a massive 16ft from the WSW with a 14-second period. The energy is through the roof (10312). It’s big, it’s powerful, and while the winds are cross-offshore and clean, this is only for the most experienced. Friday the 21st sees the swell still pumping at 13ft, but the wind gets up to 45 km/h, which is going to make things challenging and eventually messy. The following weekend into the 23rd sees the swell settle back to a more manageable 7ft to 10ft, with clean conditions.
So, the two true standouts are Thursday the 13th and Monday the 17th. Both have solid, powerful groundswell, good directions, and clean or glassy conditions. The long-period swell is best on this reef, so it should be a proper show. The 20th is huge, but that size is a different beast altogether. Keep an eye on the forecast, as the long-range stuff is promising but less certain. For now, get your best board ready for the 13th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, strong winds from the SE by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed night, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Tue morning, calm by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 20 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2961 | 6120 | 4020 | 2489 | 3610 | 2056 | 1546 | 1013 | 3172 | 919 | 483 | 1780 | 2059 | 2600 | 2430 | 4161 | 2503 | 1608 | 1257 | 1139 | 1353 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:32AM1.09m | 11:55PM1.25m | 12:49PM1.22m | 1:05AM1.35m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:00AM1.45m | 2:32PM1.51m | 2:47AM1.53m | 3:14PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.56m | 3:53PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:29PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:36PM0.51m | 6:33AM0.34m | 6:57PM0.39m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:55PM0.25m | 8:20AM0.10m | 8:44PM0.13m | 9:02AM0.02m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:08PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:46PM0.04m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
2961 | 6120 | 4020 | 2489 | — | 2056 | 1546 | 389 | 3172 | 919 | 483 | 408 | 2059 | 2600 | 2173 | 4161 | 2503 | 1608 | 1257 | 1139 | 1353 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SW 20 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 465 | 66 | 20 | 280 | 1780 | 210 | 118 | 2430 | 110 | 58 | 46 | 70 | 104 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SE 9 | — | — | N 7 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 359 | — | 26 | 22 | 207 | 106 | 65 | 152 | — | — | 27 | 34 | 33 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 7 | SW 12 | — | SSW 11 | S 10 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 280 | 3610 | — | 1268 | 1013 | 444 | 421 | 383 | 966 | 700 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 1 | 1 | 465 | 1433 | 40 | 200 | 49 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Boneyards Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Boneyards provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Boneyards can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Boneyards 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 (Boneyards) 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 Boneyards 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 Boneyards, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 26 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Robben Island which is 37 km (23 miles) away, Bellville, Kayamnandi and Stellenbosch.











