Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 4,527 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 1.7m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 22nd 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 folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
We've got a solid run of waves on the way at Boneyards, but it's a reef setup that demands respect, especially when the swell kicks. This isn't a spot for the faint-hearted.
The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing weird there.
The period kicks off on Tuesday, 18 August with a clean 7ft groundswell from the WSW, with a 12-second period. The energy is strong (2034), and light cross-off winds from the SE will keep the faces clean. This is an excellent call for experienced surfers, but it's a size that needs some skill. The swell builds through the day, hitting 10ft by the afternoon, though the wind picks up a bit.
Wednesday, 19 August morning is the first real standout. You've got a solid 8ft SW groundswell, still with that 12-second period, and the wind is light cross-off again. The energy is still pumping (1978), and the conditions are clean. This is the best on offer in the first week – a proper session for the crew who know the reef. Keep in mind, Boneyards can be inconsistent, so don't expect a wave every minute.
Thursday, 20 August morning the swell jumps to 12ft from the SW with a 13-second period and energy is cranking (4020). That's big, expert-only territory. The wind is light cross-off, so the surface will be clean, but this is a serious step up in power.
The weekend gets messy. Saturday, 22 August morning is a write-off with strong onshore winds and lumpy 4ft surf. The afternoon sees a jump in size to 12ft, but the wind is cross-on, making it a choppy mess.
Sunday, 23 August morning sees a return to form. A 7ft WSW groundswell with a 13-second period, clean faces and light cross-off breezes. The energy is strong (2122). This is another top pick, just behind Wednesday's call.
Monday, 24 August starts to back off, with a clean 5ft swell, but the energy is dropping (859). Still a fun wave for the intermediate crew.
Tuesday, 25 August the swell is back up to 8ft from the SW with a 14-second period. The wind is strong offshore from the SE, which will groom it perfectly, but that 25 mph wind will make paddling a battle. It's clean, but you'll be earning every wave.
The middle of the week turns average. Wednesday, 26 August through Thursday, 27 August is mostly onshore, choppy, and not worth the paddle.
Then, we have a long-range standout that's worth noting. Friday, 28 August is a big day. The finder shows a 13ft WSW groundswell with a 16-second period – that's a very long period groundswell. The energy is enormous (9724). The wind is only light cross-on, so the surface won't be perfect, but the power is undeniable. This is a serious, expert-only swell with a ton of water moving. It's a week and a half out, so we'll keep an eye on it, but it's a promising look.
Saturday, 29 August the wind cranks up to near gale force, making it a total mess, but the swell is still huge.
Sunday, 30 August is the final standout. Morning has a 10ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period and moderate offshore winds from the E. The energy is very strong (3675). The afternoon is even better with light cross-off winds and glassy conditions. For the second week, this is the session to circle.
After that, Monday, 31 August and Tuesday, 1 September are blown out or onshore, and the final call on Wednesday, 2 September is a much smaller, glassy 5ft swell. A nice way to wrap up if you're a beginner, but the energy is low.
So, to sum it up: the best of the best is Wednesday, 19 August morning and Sunday, 23 August morning for the first week. For the second week, keep your eye on Sunday, 30 August for a proper session. Boneyards can be inconsistent, so jump on the good windows when they're there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1816 | 1197 | 2859 | 2744 | 1978 | 1742 | 2497 | 4020 | 2801 | 1513 | 1017 | 527 | 379 | 389 | 3039 | 3478 | 1622 | 1465 | 1346 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 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 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 7 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 12 |
1816 | 1197 | 2859 | 2744 | 1978 | 1742 | 2497 | 4020 | 2801 | 1513 | 1017 | 527 | 379 | 263 | 3039 | 3478 | 1622 | 1465 | 1346 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 |
304 | 837 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 379 | 372 | 340 | 389 | — | — | 500 | 485 | 391 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | S 11 | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 |
— | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | 53 | 505 | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 32 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
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.











