
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,538 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 21s 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 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s lining up for us.
We’ve got Boneyards on the radar, and it’s a reef setup that doesn’t fire every day, but when it does, it can be a real treat. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the booties if you’re heading out.
The first real chance to get waves kicks off on Tuesday morning, August 11th. It’s not a classic, with a 6ft swell from the SSW at 12 seconds, but the wind is blowing a fresh offshore from the ESE at 19 mph, keeping the surface clean. The combined energy is moderate at 942, so it’s a bit weak for the reef. Tuesday afternoon drops a little to 4ft, still clean, but it’s marginal.
The real standout, and I mean the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Wednesday, August 12th. Morning brings a 6ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the E at 6 mph. The afternoon is even better: 7ft from the SW, 17-second period, and the wind drops to a slight 3 mph from the E. The energy jumps to 2426 and 2426 again, moderate-strong, and the conditions are clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period means the waves will have real push and shape, but it might wall up a bit on a beach break; at a reef like Boneyards, it’s going to be lined up and hollow.
Thursday morning, the 13th, has a bigger 8ft swell from the SW at 17 seconds, but the wind switches to a cross-shore from the NNE at 9 mph, which brings a little chop. The afternoon, however, is a beauty: 7ft from the WSW at 16 seconds, with glassy conditions (NNW 3 mph) and energy at 2552. That’s the second real standout. The water is flat, the waves are solid, and it’s all for the experienced crew.
Friday, the 14th, is a write-off. The wind turns cross-onshore, and the quality drops. Saturday morning, the 15th, bounces back with a glassy 6ft WSW swell at 14 seconds – a great session for the early birds. The afternoon is a little messier.
Sunday the 16th is mixed; the afternoon has a 8ft swell from the WSW at 14 seconds, but the wind is light cross-shore, so it’s not perfect.
Monday the 17th is blown out, and Tuesday the 18th gets big but ugly. A 10ft SW swell with a 12-second period hits, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore at 16 mph in the morning. This one is for kite surfers, not paddle surfers. The afternoon improves slightly, but it’s still marginal.
The second week looks promising but a bit less certain. Saturday, August 22nd, is a corker. The morning has a 8ft SW swell at 12 seconds with a clean cross-offshore wind from the S at 12 mph, and the energy is a strong 4144. The afternoon is even better: 8ft from the WSW at 13 seconds, with a gentle cross-offshore from the SE at 9 mph, and energy at 4668. That’s excellent for experienced surfers.
Sunday, August 23rd, is glassy with a 7ft WSW swell at 13 seconds – a beautiful morning for a session. The rest of the week tails off, with smaller swells and clean conditions, but nothing that matches the punch of that weekend.
So, to wrap it up: the best days are Wednesday, August 12th, and Thursday, August 13th, with Saturday, August 22nd, as a solid long-range bet. The crowds? Boneyards can get busy sometimes, so be prepared for company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Tue night, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 21 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
876 | 475 | 2150 | 2344 | 2375 | 1892 | 3538 | 2535 | 2082 | 1475 | 1393 | 1353 | 1306 | 1214 | 1179 | 1285 | 2006 | 2651 | 2057 | 1901 | 986 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:32PM1.51m | 2:47AM1.53m | 3:14PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.56m | 3:53PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:29PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | 5:05PM1.64m | 5:21AM1.43m | 5:39PM1.55m | 5:56AM1.33m | 6:12PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:20AM0.10m | 8:44PM0.13m | 9:02AM0.02m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:08PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:46PM0.04m | 10:51AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.10m | 11:24AM0.14m | 11:56PM0.19m | 11:56AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | |||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 6 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 |
876 | 475 | 2150 | 2344 | 2375 | 1892 | 3538 | 2535 | 2082 | 1475 | 1393 | 1353 | 1306 | 1214 | 1179 | 1285 | 2006 | 2651 | 2057 | 1901 | 986 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SW 24 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 21 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | WSW 8 |
39 | 455 | 211 | 283 | 196 | 1875 | 246 | 90 | 80 | 57 | 32 | 28 | 21 | 21 | 32 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 295 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 26 | WSW 10 | — | SW 10 | SW 10 | S 10 | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
27 | 20 | — | 110 | 51 | 9 | — | 17 | — | — | — | 13 | 35 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — |
489 | 585 | 493 | 898 | 673 | 266 | — | — | 18 | 21 | 24 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 35 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 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.











