
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,527 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
Alright, this is Rusty, checkin’ in from the local sand.
Alright, what we’ve got here is a slow burn. The first week or so is pretty average, but if you’ve got patience, the end of the run is where the magic’s hiding. The first real surfable day is Sunday, July 12th, and we’re looking at a 16-day window here.
The only spot that’s really on the radar for this whole period is Boneyards. It’s a reef break, so it needs a bit of respect. The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is pretty much dead average for this time of year, so no need for a 5/4 just yet.
The early action on Sunday, July 12th isn’t huge, but it’s clean. Swell is 4ft from the SSW with an 11-second period, so there’s a bit of energy behind it. The wind is light and offshore from the ESE in the morning, leaving it glassy. The combined energy is moderate (508). It’s a bit inconsistent here, and it can get crowded, so expect a few heads bobbing around. It’s a good, honest wave for intermediates.
Monday, July 13th drops off hard. The swell dips to 3ft from the SSW. Sure, it’s glassy, but it’s really weak energy (188). It’s surfable, but you’ll be paddling for everything.
Tuesday, July 14th is a write-off. Wind is cross-on from the NNW and the quality is poor. Don’t bother.
Now, we’ve got a bit of a gap. Wednesday, July 15th through the end of the week shows some swell, but the conditions are messy. By Wednesday afternoon, a 10ft SW swell hits with a long 15-second period, generating a very strong energy (3950). That’s a big groundswell. But the wind is cross-shore, making it a bit lumpy. On Thursday, July 16th, it’s 8ft SW but with onshore wind, so it’s a washout. Friday, July 17th brings a fresh 19-22 mph offshore wind from the SE, cleaning up the 7ft SW swell, but it’s a strong wind, and the period is short. It’s a bit of a battle.
Saturday, July 18th is the first real standout. The swell is still pumping 7ft from the SW, but the period has stretched to 14 seconds (long period groundswell). The morning is offshore from the ESE, and the afternoon is dead flat calm, glassy. The energy is strong (1614). This is an excellent surf day for experienced surfers. The 7ft height is right on the edge for beginners, but for the crew who knows Boneyards, it’s going to be rippable. Remember, a long period swell like this at a reef break is a beautiful thing.
After that, it’s a bit of a lull again. The swell drops and the wind turns onshore.
Hold on, because Tuesday, July 21st is the absolute standout of the whole forecast. The afternoon session is a monster. 13ft of SSW swell with an 18-second period. That is a very long period groundswell. The combined energy is enormous (8495). The wind is offshore from the SE at 12 mph, keeping it clean. This is a legit, heavy, expert-only session. Don’t even think about paddling out if you’re not 100% on your game. This is the kind of day that gets written into the local lore.
The following days, July 22nd through the 26th, are still pumping big swell (10ft to 15ft), but the wind is mostly cross-on from the NW, making it choppy and messy. It’s hard to get a clean wave even with the size.
But the final call is Monday, July 27th morning. The swell is 13ft from the SW, the wind is glassy from the NNW, and the energy is extreme (6270). It’s another exceptional, glassy day for experts only. An incredible way to finish the outlook.
So, to wrap it up: the surf is average for a while, but the 16-day window is a tale of two weeks. The best bets are Saturday, July 18th for a solid, clean day for the experienced crew, and the absolute monster session on Tuesday, July 21st afternoon for the hardcore experts only. Keep an eye on the wind, because the swell is there, it’s just about catching it clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | W 11 | SW 16 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
394 | 302 | 232 | 125 | 105 | 202 | 162 | 156 | 192 | 1384 | 3874 | 3844 | 2381 | 1764 | 1902 | 1029 | 898 | 703 | 1537 | 961 | 581 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:48PM1.35m | 2:02AM1.49m | 2:40PM1.46m | 2:54AM1.54m | 3:27PM1.55m | 3:42AM1.56m | 4:12PM1.61m | 4:28AM1.54m | 4:55PM1.62m | 5:11AM1.48m | 5:37PM1.59m | 5:54AM1.39m | 6:19PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:53PM0.26m | 8:27AM0.09m | 8:48PM0.17m | 9:14AM0.03m | 9:38PM0.10m | 9:58AM0.00m | 10:25PM0.08m | 10:40AM0.02m | 11:11PM0.10m | 11:20AM0.07m | 11:55PM0.16m | 12:00PM0.16m | 00:39AM0.24m | ||||||||
7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 11 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
262 | 164 | 119 | 125 | 105 | 202 | 162 | 156 | 132 | 1384 | 3874 | 3844 | 2381 | 1764 | 1902 | 1029 | 898 | 703 | 1537 | 961 | 581 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | SW 11 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 19 | SW 16 | SE 7 | W 10 | W 10 |
394 | 302 | 232 | 38 | 65 | 72 | 65 | 45 | 192 | 191 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 248 | 54 | 80 | 106 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | S 9 | W 9 | SSW 9 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | W 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
114 | 108 | 69 | 63 | 40 | 58 | 159 | 37 | 51 | 102 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 77 | 56 | 49 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | — | — |
543 | — | 216 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 65 | 178 | 136 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 25 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
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.










