Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 17 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 4,137 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with WSW 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 (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 1.1m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| 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
Right, grab a coffee and let’s get into it. We’re looking at Boneyards over the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll want a decent spring suit.
It kicks off on Monday the 17th of August, but honestly, it’s a write-off. Cross-on wind, a messy 8ft WSW swell, and the combined energy is high at 2537 but it’s just poor. Not worth getting wet.
Things start to turn. Tuesday morning the 18th looks alright – 7ft from the WSW, period of 12 seconds, and the wind swings cross-off from the SSE. It’s clean and the energy is strong (1996). This is a good one for experienced surfers. The afternoon bumps up to 10ft, still clean but that’s getting big, so only for the skilled crew.
Wednesday and Thursday (19th and 20th) are nothing special. Clean conditions but cross-shore or cross-off winds, with 8ft to 12ft swell. Energy stays strong (1742 to 3958). It’s surfable but not a standout.
Now, hold on. Saturday the 22nd of August is the real gem. The morning is glassy – zero wind, 7ft from the SW at 11 seconds. It’s clean, the energy is moderate (1067), and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best window in the first week. The crowds can show up sometimes, so get in early.
The next week slides back into average. Clean conditions but moderate breezes, with swell hovering around 5ft to 8ft. Nothing to write home about.
But then we look at the end of the 16-day run. Monday the 31st of August morning – this is a promise. 12ft from the SW, period of 15 seconds (that’s a very long period groundswell), and the wind is offshore from the SE at 22 mph. The energy is huge at 5663. This is huge and clean, but at that size and period, it’s only for experts. It will be powerful and the sets will be spaced out at this reef, making paddle-outs a bit easier, but it’s serious.
The next day, Tuesday the 1st of September morning, is also excellent for experienced surfers – 10ft, SW, 13 second period, light offshore wind, energy at 2908. Clean and punchy.
So, the standout is definitely Saturday the 22nd of August morning for the glassy sweetness. The long-range standout is Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September for the big, clean groundswell – but that’s a promise that’s a couple of weeks away, so keep your fingers crossed.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Fri morning, calm by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2528 | 2354 | 1766 | 1159 | 2771 | 2622 | 1978 | 1742 | 2032 | 3958 | 2877 | 1578 | 628 | 517 | 408 | 1027 | 1922 | 2241 | 1828 | 1044 | 694 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:12PM1.43m | 6:31AM1.21m | 6:47PM1.29m | 7:10AM1.09m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:56AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:29PM0.38m | 1:08AM0.42m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 2528 | 2354 | 1766 | 1159 | 2771 | 2622 | 1978 | 1742 | 2032 | 3958 | 2877 | 1578 | 628 | 467 | 408 | 1027 | 1922 | 2241 | 1828 | 1044 | 694 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 16 | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | — | 211 | 304 | 837 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 503 | 517 | 352 | 40 | — | — | 73 | 475 | 508 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 16 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 |
| kJ | — | 65 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 88 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 9 | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 42 | 617 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 411 | 6 | 3 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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.
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