
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 10,175 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
We’ve got a 16-day forecast, and the first few days are nothing to write home about. The real banger is about a week out, so keep your eyes on that.
Boneyards is an inconsistent reef break that likes a west swell. Saturday the 18th is a dud – light cross-onshore breeze and messy surf. Sunday the 19th afternoon picks up: clean 7ft swell from the SW, period around 11 seconds, light cross-off wind. Combined energy is 1100 (moderate). Good for experienced surfers, but not the best of the run.
Monday the 20th morning goes glassy with a 5ft SSW swell, period 9 seconds, energy 615. Clean and small, a quiet session if you’re keen.
Tuesday the 21st morning is where it’s at. Glassy conditions, 7ft SSW swell, and the period jumps to 14 seconds – proper groundswell. Energy is 1540 (moderate-to-strong). For a reef break, that long period is a gift. Water temp is about average for the time of year, no big anomaly. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, but since it’s inconsistent, you might score it quiet. This is the standout of the first week: clean, solid, and punchy.
Wednesday the 22nd is a mess – 10ft+ swell with fresh onshore wind making it lumpy and dangerous. Too big for most.
Thursday the 23rd is average with cross-onshore wind. Skip it.
Now for the big one. Friday the 24th morning: 13ft swell from the SW, period 15 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. Wave energy is 6086 (very strong). Offshore wind from the ESE, clean. This is expert-only territory, powerful and hollow. If you’ve got the skills and the tide works, this is the best session of the whole outlook. Crowds are possible, but the size will keep it quiet.
Saturday the 25th morning holds clean 8ft swell with gentle offshore wind – still good for experienced surfers, but a step down from Friday. Energy at 2994 (strong).
Sunday the 26th is blown out with strong wind (25 mph+), even if it’s cross-off. Not recommended.
Monday the 27th is a solid follow-up: 8ft swell with offshore wind, clean, energy 2648.
From Tuesday the 28th onward, it fades. Swell drops below 6ft, wind turns onshore, and conditions get choppy. There’s a long gap from the 28th through the 2nd of August with poor or marginal surf – not worth the paddle.
So to sum it up: your best bet is Friday the 24th morning for the big, clean, expert-level groundswell. Second pick is Tuesday the 21st morning for a glassy, solid session. Everything else is small or messy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 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) | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
369 | 328 | 352 | 574 | 734 | 897 | 986 | 422 | 197 | 487 | 1453 | 1961 | 2221 | 3181 | 2544 | 1623 | 1423 | 1570 | 8803 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:54AM1.39m | 6:19PM1.52m | 6:37AM1.28m | 7:00PM1.42m | 7:22AM1.17m | 7:44PM1.31m | 8:13AM1.07m | 8:36PM1.19m | 9:20AM1.00m | 9:43PM1.11m | 10:47AM0.97m | 11:05PM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:55PM0.16m | 12:00PM0.16m | 00:39AM0.24m | 12:39PM0.27m | 1:24AM0.34m | 1:20PM0.39m | 2:13AM0.43m | 2:08PM0.51m | 3:14AM0.51m | 3:12PM0.60m | 4:33AM0.55m | 4:46PM0.64m | |||||||
— | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | |
5:55 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 16 |
369 | 328 | 270 | 574 | 734 | 897 | 986 | 422 | 197 | 487 | 1453 | 1961 | 2221 | 3181 | 2544 | 1623 | 1423 | 737 | 8803 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | W 9 | W 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 17 | ESE 12 |
77 | 163 | 352 | 284 | 181 | 98 | 116 | 94 | 150 | 236 | 39 | 24 | 31 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 1570 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 14 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSE 10 | SW 11 | W 10 | SW 7 | WSW 11 | SE 11 | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | SSW 12 | — |
39 | 228 | 151 | 150 | 78 | 105 | 18 | 99 | 90 | 44 | 48 | 33 | — | — | — | 7 | — | 491 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 21 | 32 | 10 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










