
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,053 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. Only one spot to look at for the next 16 days: Boneyards. It’s a slow start, so let’s get into it.
First up, Tuesday morning, 8 September, at Boneyards (reef). We’re looking at a small 3ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period. The combined energy is weak (585). Water temp is 55°, which is a massive 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a serious chill. Wind is a light cross-onshore from the NNW, so it’s a bit choppy. Marginal at best. Tuesday afternoon drops to 2ft, and the wind turns cross-off from the S, but energy is even weaker (254). Not worth it.
Wednesday morning, 9 September, improves a touch: 3ft from the WSW at 13 seconds, with moderate energy (325). Wind is a gentle cross-off from the S, so it’s clean. The report says “expect good surf conditions,” but it’s still small. Wednesday afternoon bumps to 4ft from the SW, but the wind picks up, and quality drops.
The first true standout is Thursday morning, 10 September. Swell jumps to 8ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and energy is moderate-to-strong (2590). Wind is a gentle cross-off from the SSE, so it’s clean. That long-period swell (14 seconds) should work well on this reef. Thursday afternoon holds at 8ft, but wind is a touch stronger.
Friday, 11 September, and Saturday, 12 September, are write-offs. Swell is 5ft to 7ft, but the wind cranks up to a fresh to strong breeze from the SE, making it poor. Saturday afternoon has near-gale offshore from the SE – clean but impossible to paddle into.
The second week brings the goods. Sunday morning, 13 September, is a cracker: 7ft from the SW at 14 seconds, moderate energy (1549), and a light offshore from the ESE. “Excellent for experienced surfers.” Sunday afternoon stays clean with 6ft and a gentle offshore.
The big one is Wednesday, 16 September. Morning sees a massive 13ft WSW swell with a 17-second period. The combined energy is exceptional (9753). Wind is a moderate offshore from the ESE. This is “exceptional for expert surfers” – raw power, long lines, and clean. Wednesday afternoon is nearly the same: 13ft at 16 seconds (energy 7857) with moderate offshore. That’s the highlight of the whole run, but it’s a full week out, so it’s promising, not locked in.
Thursday, 17 September, stays excellent with 7ft to 7ft and offshore winds. Friday, 18 September, goes bad again with strong cross-off winds. The following Sunday morning, 20 September, is a beauty: 6ft from the SW at 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy from the ESE. Glassy conditions at Boneyards – that’s butter-smooth. Monday morning, 21 September, also has fresh offshore wind with 6ft.
A few notes: Boneyards is an inconsistent reef break, so when it hits, it hits. That Wednesday, 16 September, is the one to target. The swell direction is WSW to SW, which lines up well with the optimum W direction. Crowds are “sometimes,” so you might see a few others, but it won’t be packed.
If you’re a beginner, steer clear when it’s over 5ft, and definitely avoid the 13ft days – that’s only for experts. For the rest, Sunday, 13 September, and Sunday, 20 September, mornings are your best for solid, clean waves.
That 55° water will bite, so suit up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the E by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 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) | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
294 | 137 | 211 | 304 | 382 | 808 | 2590 | 1859 | 1321 | 904 | 722 | 385 | 1838 | 1918 | 2416 | 1549 | 1285 | 721 | 367 | 272 | 309 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:35PM1.43m | 1:53AM1.43m | 2:15PM1.56m | 2:33AM1.51m | 2:52PM1.65m | 3:10AM1.55m | 3:25PM1.70m | 3:44AM1.55m | 3:58PM1.68m | 4:16AM1.51m | 4:29PM1.62m | 4:47AM1.44m | 4:59PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:50PM0.20m | 8:04AM0.12m | 8:31PM0.09m | 8:41AM0.05m | 9:08PM0.01m | 9:15AM0.02m | 9:42PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.01m | 10:19AM0.08m | 10:45PM0.08m | 10:49AM0.16m | 11:15PM0.17m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 6:32 | — | — | 6:32 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
294 | 137 | 172 | 304 | 382 | 808 | 2590 | 1859 | 1321 | 904 | 722 | 385 | 1838 | 1918 | 2416 | 1549 | 1285 | 354 | 367 | 272 | 309 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SW 17 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SSW 17 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SW 13 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
224 | 117 | 211 | 25 | 14 | 611 | — | — | 37 | — | 35 | 293 | — | 725 | — | 374 | 297 | 721 | 166 | 115 | 50 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | W 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
67 | 77 | 32 | 21 | 8 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 |
— | — | 4 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | 194 | 366 | 581 | 691 | 906 | 1371 | 1539 | 828 | — | 19 | 58 | 152 | 231 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 25 | 411 | 40 | 40 | 599 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 32 |
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.










