Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 4,012 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial Units
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on the cards for Boneyards.
Alright, Boneyards is looking like a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got some proper swell running for most of it, but the wind is gonna be the main character in this story, and it doesn't always play nice. The main standouts are a couple of days where everything lines up for some seriously good waves.
We kick off on Saturday, the 15th of August. There’s a solid 7ft groundswell from the WSW with a long 14-second period, pushing through a lot of energy (1652). The water is 58°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want the extra rubber. The wind is light and cross-off, so the conditions are clean. It’s a bit of a late start, but a decent one for experienced surfers.
Then things get messy. From Sunday the 16th right through to Wednesday the 20th, it’s mostly onshore and choppy. While the swell stays up, the quality is poor. Monday the 17th has 10ft of swell but with cross-onshore wind, it’s a washout. Thursday the 20th afternoon sees a 10ft SW swell, but again, the cross-offshore wind is too strong to keep it clean.
Now, here’s the first real standout. Friday morning, the 21st of August, we have a classic setup. A 7ft SW swell (12-second period) with a gentle offshore wind from the SE. The energy is moderate (1255), and the description is "gentle offshore and clean". This is the window to get after it. It’s not huge, but it’s gonna be absolutely perfect.
The wind stays messy again, and then we get to our absolute best option. Sunday the 23rd of August starts to look good with a 7ft WSW swell (13 seconds) and clean, light winds. But the real gem is Monday morning, the 24th of August. This is the one you circle on the calendar. We’ve got a proper 12ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, pushing an enormous amount of energy through (6074). The wind is offshore from the SE and gentle. This is exceptional, expert-level surf. It's going to be a beast, with long, powerful sets. The size makes it only for the experienced crew.
The week after continues to have solid swell, but the wind is fickle. There are promising signs for Saturday morning the 29th with an 8ft WSW swell and offshore winds, but then it gets blown out again by the afternoon. Sunday the 30th closes out the run with a smaller, messier 7ft swell.
So, to sum it up: forget the first week of onshore slop. The morning of Friday the 21st is your clean, fun session, but the absolute standout is Monday morning, the 24th of August. That is a special swell waiting for someone who knows what they are doing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1652 | 1581 | 1773 | 2671 | 3703 | 2709 | 2354 | 1599 | 985 | 2458 | 2130 | 1638 | 1605 | 1313 | 1735 | 2483 | 2239 | 1255 | 914 | 806 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:05PM1.64m | 5:21AM1.43m | 5:39PM1.55m | 5:56AM1.33m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:22PM0.10m | 11:24AM0.14m | 11:56PM0.19m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
1652 | 1581 | 1773 | 2671 | 3703 | 2709 | 2354 | 1599 | 985 | 2458 | 2130 | 1638 | 1605 | 1313 | 1735 | 2483 | 2239 | 1255 | 914 | 806 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 |
16 | 18 | 9 | — | — | — | 211 | 304 | 874 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | E 10 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 9 | — | — | — | — | 65 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 3 | — | — | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | — |
— | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 26 | 7 | — | — | 23 | 157 | 106 | 53 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 10 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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.











