Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,271 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, lookin’ at the surf ahead. The water’s runnin’ about 58°, which is a bit cooler than usual for this time of year, so don’t forget a spring suit.
First chance to get wet is Wednesday, August 19th. Swell’s around 8ft out of the SW, with a 12-second period, and the combo energy is a chunky 2078. The wind is a light cross-off from the SSE, so it’s clean. That’s big, expert-only stuff.
Thursday, August 20th is the real standout. The morning session is a beast: 12ft SW swell, 13-second period, and a combined energy of 3903. The wind is light and cross-off, making for clean, heavy lines. This is powerful groundswell for experienced surfers only.
Friday the 21st drops to 6ft in the morning, with choppier afternoon conditions. The weekend from the 22nd to the 24th has some okay windows, but Sunday morning the 23rd is worth a look with 8ft WSW swell and a light cross-off breeze.
The magic comes back on Tuesday, August 25th. The morning has 7ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is offshore from the SE. Combined energy is 1673. That’s clean, smooth, and lined up. The afternoon holds steady with 6ft and offshore winds.
There’s a lull around the 26th and 27th, but Thursday the 27th afternoon is a sneaky good one: 5ft WSW swell, but the period hits 15 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell. With a glassy offshore wind, it’s going to be peeling nicely. The combined energy is 1201.
The end of the month gets wild. Sunday, August 30th has a massive 13ft SSW swell on the morning, but the wind is a near gale offshore at 55 km/h. That’s nearly impossible to paddle into, so it’s either for the crazies or the kite crew.
The second real standout is Tuesday, September 1st. The morning is glassy – dead flat wind – with a 7ft WSW swell and a 14-second period. Combined energy is 2033. That’s clean, powerful, and you’ll be getting some proper long rides.
Then Thursday, September 3rd morning has a big 10ft W swell with a 14-second period, light offshore ESE wind, and a combined energy of 3914. Another big one for experts only, but the conditions are excellent.
The best bets are Thursday the 20th morning for raw power, and Tuesday, September 1st morning for a glassy, clean session. Keep watchin’ the sky.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Fri morning, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat night, fresh winds from the SE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2078 | 1742 | 2294 | 3903 | 2536 | 1735 | 882 | 458 | 400 | 587 | 821 | 2313 | 1909 | 1546 | 1215 | 559 | 392 | 1902 | 1599 | 1226 | 869 | |
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-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:28PM1.15m | 8:04AM0.99m | 8:30PM1.04m | 9:46AM0.92m | 10:24PM0.98m | 11:55AM0.96m | 00:06AM1.03m | 12:59PM1.06m | 1:02AM1.13m | 1:37PM1.18m | 1:41AM1.24m | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:05PM0.51m | 1:54AM0.54m | 1:55PM0.63m | 3:17AM0.62m | 3:49PM0.70m | 5:32AM0.61m | 6:07PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.56m | 7:27AM0.41m | 7:45PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.34m | ||||||||
7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 23 | 25 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
2078 | 1742 | 2294 | 3903 | 2536 | 1735 | 882 | 458 | 400 | 587 | 821 | 2313 | 1909 | 1546 | 1215 | 559 | 392 | 1902 | 1599 | 1226 | 787 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 17 | SSW 12 | — | — | SSW 14 | SW 10 | WSW 11 | W 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SW 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 431 | 316 | 291 | 214 | 29 | 129 | — | — | 79 | 248 | 383 | 157 | 37 | 207 | 869 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | SW 12 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | — | SSW 20 | SSW 11 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 118 | — | — | 349 | — | — | — | 175 | 348 | — | 37 | 66 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 11 | 107 | 86 | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | 11 | 18 | 32 | 99 | 145 | 216 | 161 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 107 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











