Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 18,913 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period with S 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 5.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
We’re looking at Boneyards, a reef break. Swell energy is moderate to strong throughout. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Friday 28 August is a slow start. Morning has a weak 4ft S swell, period 11 seconds, cross-on breeze, and only moderate energy (645). It’s marginal. Afternoon cleans up a bit with light cross-off wind and a longer 14-second period, but still small. Not the best.
Saturday 29 August morning is the real deal: offshore wind, 5ft WSW swell, a very long 15-second period, and strong energy (1038). This is serious groundswell, clean and powerful, and best for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the first week. By afternoon the wind picks up and the swell jumps to 7ft, but it gets messy.
Sunday 30 August is a step down. Clean but the swell is a little raw. Energy is high but quality is marginal.
Monday 31 August is a letdown. Morning has offshore wind and a 7ft swell, but the comment says marginal. Afternoon is worse. Not worth it.
Tuesday 1 September is a write-off. Onshore wind, big 8ft swell, but choppy and messy. Energy is huge (2305) but quality is poor.
Wednesday 2 September is a monster. Morning brings a massive 18ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period – that’s serious, big-wave energy (16184). Wind is clean, but for Boneyards, this is way too big. It’s expert-only territory and even then, questionable. This might be more for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Afternoon is still huge but a bit more manageable.
Thursday 3 September is a hard no. Near gale-force offshore winds, big swell, but un-surfable.
Friday 4 September is ridiculous. Severe gale. Don’t even look.
Saturday 5 September sees the swell drop to 7ft, but it’s cross-on and choppy. Marginal.
Sunday 6 September is small and weak. Poor.
Monday 7 September has clean conditions and a small 3ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period. Energy is moderate (750). It’s clean but tiny.
Tuesday 8 September stays small and clean, but weak.
Wednesday 9 September morning is a nice surprise: offshore wind, 5ft WSW swell, 12-second period, and moderate energy (940). Clean and fun. A solid option for the second week.
Thursday 10 September morning is also good: clean, 4ft WSW swell, 13-second period, and moderate energy (857). Worth a look.
Friday 11 September fizzles out – small, weak, poor.
Saturday 12 September has clean conditions and a 5ft S swell, but the period is short (9 seconds) and energy is low (379). Not much there.
Overall, the standout is Saturday 29 August morning at Boneyards – offshore wind, long-period groundswell, solid size for experienced surfers. Also keep an eye on Wednesday 9 September morning for a cleaner, smaller session in the second week. The rest is either too big, too windy, or too weak.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the S by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
465 | 326 | 569 | 461 | 1038 | 1941 | 1093 | 2170 | 1683 | 1402 | 1045 | 806 | 1293 | 2305 | 2000 | 3346 | 16184 | 8796 | 4408 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 3:14AM1.47m | 3:33PM1.59m | 3:44AM1.50m | 4:01PM1.63m | 4:15AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | 5:03PM1.59m | 5:22AM1.41m | 5:38PM1.52m | 6:01AM1.31m | 6:18PM1.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:15PM0.17m | 9:22AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.11m | 9:49AM0.06m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.08m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:21AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.19m | 11:59AM0.28m | 00:39AM0.30m | ||||||
— | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
6:23 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 13 |
465 | 326 | 569 | 461 | 1038 | 1941 | 1093 | 2170 | 1683 | 1402 | 1045 | 806 | 1293 | 2305 | 2000 | 3346 | 16184 | 8796 | 4408 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | SE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | SW 24 | — | — | — |
126 | 121 | 214 | 130 | 90 | 97 | 40 | 22 | 10 | 10 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 87 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | S 11 | SSE 11 | E 12 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
146 | 198 | 63 | 133 | 68 | 86 | 47 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 9 | SW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 497 | 542 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 214 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 107 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 466 | 40 |
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.











