Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 3,785 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 1.7m and 12s. 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 1.5m 5s 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 (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 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
Rusty here again, for those of you who think in feet and knots. Same story, different numbers.
Alright, Boneyards. The first week is a battle with the wind. The water is about 57°F, a bit cooler than normal for August. The real deal comes in the second week. Mark Monday the 28th of August on your calendar.
Sunday the 16th of August starts with 7ft WSW swell at 14 seconds, but a cross-on wind at 12 knots makes it a choppy mess. Score is a zero. The afternoon gets a bit bigger, 8ft, but still marginal.
Monday the 17th is more of the same: 10ft in the morning with rough conditions. Afternoon sees the swell at 8ft with the wind onshore, still not good.
Tuesday the 18th brings a shift. The morning is 7ft from the WSW, and a light cross-off breeze cleans it up. Afternoon jumps to 10ft from the SW with a 13-knot cross-off – clean but only for experienced surfers.
Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th keep it clean and solid, around 8ft to 10ft. Thursday afternoon the wind picks up to 19 knots, so morning sessions are better.
Friday the 21st the swell eases to 7ft in the morning, clean, then drops to 6ft by the afternoon.
Saturday the 22nd is a chop-fest again with a cross-on wind and 6ft swell. A bit of a lull.
Sunday the 23rd bounces back with 7ft SW and a clean cross-off.
Now, Monday the 24th of August. Morning has 7ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds, an offshore breeze at just 5 knots – glassy. This is excellent for experienced surfers.
Tuesday the 25th of August is a standout. Morning is small at 4ft but with a monster 22-second period and offshore wind. Afternoon is massive: 10ft SW at 20 seconds, with energy through the roof. Clean. For experts only.
Wednesday the 26th morning is perfection: 10ft SW at 15 seconds, an almost calm offshore breeze, glassy.
Friday the 28th of August afternoon is the king of the run. 12ft SW at 15 seconds, light cross-off wind, exceptional conditions for experts.
Saturday the 29th still has 10ft swell but a light cross-on, so a little less clean.
Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are blown out with onshore winds and big, messy swell up to 13ft. Not worth it.
So, the first week is scratchy. The second week, from the 24th to the 28th, is where the magic happens. Boneyards can be inconsistent, but when it lines up like this, it’s a world-class reef.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°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 Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Thu night, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1773 | 2671 | 3703 | 2709 | 2354 | 1766 | 1197 | 2984 | 2397 | 1866 | 1638 | 1928 | 3057 | 2843 | 1539 | 1131 | 860 | 487 | 749 | 745 | 1551 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:55AM0.96m | 00:06AM1.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:32AM0.61m | 6:07PM0.66m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1773 | 2671 | 3703 | 2709 | 2354 | 1766 | 1197 | 2984 | 2397 | 1866 | 1638 | 1928 | 3057 | 2843 | 1539 | 1131 | 860 | 487 | 749 | 745 | 1551 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | — | — | — | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 17 | WSW 15 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 9 | — | — | — | 211 | 357 | 864 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 22 | 180 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 65 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 126 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 390 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 47 | 411 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 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.
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