
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 5,270 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period with SW 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid run of swell lined up for Boneyards, so grab your board and let’s talk it through.
For the next few days, we’re looking at a building and then pulsing swell window. The ocean is waking up, and there’s plenty to get excited about.
The first real action kicks off Thursday, July 30. Boneyards is a reef break, so it needs a fair bit of juice to get going, and it’s got it. Thursday morning sees a clean 5ft swell from the southwest with a nice 13-second period. The wind is light offshore from the ESE, keeping things tidy. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 821. Thursday afternoon stays clean, just a touch smaller at 5ft. A good start.
Friday holds clean 4ft to 4ft southwest swell – still fun, but it’s a bit of a drop-off. The wind stays light offshore or cross-offshore. It’s a good day for a longer session without the crowds being too heavy.
Now, Saturday morning, August 1, is a real standout. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the east at 3 mph, and the swell is 4ft from the WSW with a 14-second period. The energy is moderate at 663. That’s a morning of smooth, peeling waves, perfect for an intermediate surfer. The afternoon stays clean but a little smaller.
Sunday morning, the wind shifts to a cross-onshore from the NNW, and the surf gets a bit ragged. The 4ft southwest swell is still there, but it’s not as pretty. The combined energy is moderate at 535, but the quality drops. This is a day to be picky about your tide.
Monday, August 3, is where it gets interesting. Early morning, it’s glassy again with a 5ft southwest swell and a 13-second period, but the energy jumps to 1046 – that’s a solid step up. The morning is absolutely pristine for experienced surfers. The afternoon sees a 5ft swell with a cross-shore wind, which makes it a bit more tricky, but still plenty of power.
Tuesday, the 4th, is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning has a 5ft swell with an onshore wind, so it’s not your best bet. The afternoon drops off in size and quality.
Wednesday, August 5, is a big one – but not for paddle surfing. The swell jumps to 12ft from the southwest with a long 15-second period, and the energy is a massive 5190. However, the wind is a strong cross-onshore at 16 mph. At a beach and reef setup like this, that’s blown out and messy. This one’s for the kite surfers, not for us.
Thursday, August 6, the swell is still huge at 10ft to 13ft, but the wind plays ball. The afternoon is a true showstopper: 13ft southwest swell, 15-second period, and a clean cross-offshore wind from the SE. The energy is 6902. This is for expert surfers only – it’s powerful, long-period groundswell, and it will be breaking a bit straight at the beach, but on the reef, it could be the session of the month. The crowds are likely here, but the waves are worth it.
Friday, August 7, the swell drops to 12ft but stays glassy in the morning, with a 14-second period and energy at 4293. Another excellent day for the experienced crew. The afternoon stays clean.
Saturday, August 8, things get rough again. The wind is a fresh cross-onshore at 19 mph, and the swell is 10ft, but the energy is still high. The quality is poor. Sunday and Monday are the same story – big swell, blown out by strong winds.
After that, the swell drops right off. Tuesday, August 11, we get a glassy 7ft from the SSW with a shorter 9-second period and energy at 737. It’s a clean morning, but that shorter period means the waves won’t have the same punch. The afternoon has a 5ft swell with a very long 16-second period but a cross-shore wind – a bit tricky.
Wednesday, August 12, is a beauty. Glassy morning, 5ft southwest swell, 14-second period, and energy at 1221. Clean, lined up, and plenty of energy. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore wind.
The final days, Thursday August 13 through Friday August 14, are a mix of glassy mornings and clean afternoons. The swell sits around 4ft to 7ft, with that long-period groundswell. The wind is light offshore or glassy. It’s a consistent, high-quality finish to the forecast.
The pick of the bunch: Saturday morning, August 1, for the glassy, clean intermediate waves. And Thursday afternoon, August 6, for the expert-level, big, clean bomb sets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
821 | 732 | 600 | 471 | 355 | 255 | 663 | 486 | 552 | 527 | 528 | 357 | 700 | 835 | 822 | 534 | 305 | 875 | 5190 | 4977 | 4343 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:03PM1.48m | 4:09AM1.43m | 4:33PM1.52m | 4:40AM1.42m | 5:03PM1.53m | 5:13AM1.39m | 5:34PM1.52m | 5:47AM1.34m | 6:08PM1.48m | 6:27AM1.27m | 6:48PM1.41m | 7:14AM1.18m | 7:38PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:51AM0.13m | 10:11PM0.22m | 10:18AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.12m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:16AM0.16m | 11:47PM0.22m | 11:48AM0.21m | 00:24AM0.26m | 12:25PM0.29m | 1:09AM0.32m | 1:10PM0.38m | 2:07AM0.39m | |||||||
7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
821 | 732 | 600 | 471 | 355 | 255 | 663 | 486 | 552 | 527 | 528 | 275 | 700 | 835 | 822 | 534 | 305 | 392 | 5190 | 4977 | 4343 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | — | SE 7 | SE 8 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SW 13 |
23 | — | 86 | 60 | 78 | 212 | 54 | 64 | 54 | 37 | 29 | 357 | 346 | 180 | 11 | 10 | 39 | 875 | 20 | 19 | 1756 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | SE 9 | — | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 11 | — | — | ESE 10 |
— | — | — | 13 | — | 76 | — | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | 30 | 12 | 12 | — | 11 | 63 | 57 | — | — | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | — | NW 5 | NNW 4 |
99 | 25 | 250 | 187 | 51 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | 70 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 186 | 13 | 28 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










