
Surf Forecasts:
Boneyards surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,691 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boneyards in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up.
Right off the bat, Friday morning 7 August is the standout session of the whole forecast. Boneyards, a reef setup, is gonna be absolutely pumping. We’ve got a solid 12 ft swell rolling in from the SW with a 14-second period – that’s proper groundswell, plenty of energy and long lines. The combined energy is ripping at 4684, which is strong. And the wind? Light easterly breeze blowing straight offshore. That’s clean, glassy conditions for the experienced crew. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so don’t forget a hood. This is the one to be on.
Friday afternoon the wind swings to a light cross-on, and the swell hangs in at 12 ft, but the period stretches to 15 seconds and the energy jumps to 5438. Still good, but that cross-on wind takes the polish off a bit. The tide might be a factor too, so be choosy.
Saturday morning 8 August gets messy. The wind comes up strong from the NNW at 12 mph, cross-on and choppy. Swell drops to 10 ft, 13-second period, energy down to 2782. Not the day. Saturday afternoon improves though – wind shifts to a moderate S cross-off at 16 mph, swell bumps back to 13 ft with a 14-second period, and the energy is huge at 5691. That’s a big, clean wave, but it’s a beast – over 8 ft, so only for experts. The cross-off wind should keep it clean.
Sunday 9 August is a write-off for quality. Winds are strong – 25 mph from the SSE in the morning, 22 mph in the afternoon. Swell is 10 ft to 12 ft, but the energy is high and the wind just makes it a battle. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Monday 10 August sees the swell drop to 6 ft, and while the wind is offshore and strong at 28 mph in the afternoon, it’s so strong it’ll be hard to paddle into. Energy’s moderate at 1479. Not great.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting again. Tuesday 11 August morning: light offshore easterly at 6 mph, swell 6 ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, energy 908. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions,” and it’s clean. Tuesday afternoon is even better – glassy, with a 3 mph SE wind, 4 ft swell, 12-second period, and energy at 978. That’s a fun, clean little wave for the experienced crew.
But the absolute gem of the second half of the first week is Wednesday 12 August morning. Glassy conditions, not a breath of wind, swell 6 ft from the SW with a very long 18-second period. Energy is 2389. That’s a groundswell with real shape and power, and it’s dead clean. Boneyards is a reef, which is perfect for a long-period swell like this. That’s a standout.
Wednesday afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off, 7 ft, still 18 seconds, energy 2664. Thursday 13 August keeps the good run going – morning has 8 ft at 18 seconds with a light cross-off, energy 3999, and it’s clean. That’s a big, powerful wave for experts only. The afternoon is similar at 8 ft, 16 seconds, but still clean.
After that, from Friday 14 August through to Sunday 16 August, the swell direction shifts to WSW and the wind turns cross or cross-on. The size hangs around 6 ft to 8 ft, but the quality is mixed. Some periods are clean with cross-off winds, but the sessions are marginal. Not a write-off, but not the best of the run.
Monday 17 August afternoon is a nice little surprise – light SSE cross-off, 6 ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period, energy 1064, and the forecast says “excellent surf conditions.” That’s a good, clean option for the experienced surfer.
From Tuesday 18 August onward, the outlook gets patchy. The wind is mostly cross-on or choppy, the swell stays around 6 ft to 8 ft, and the periods drop to 11-13 seconds. The energy is moderate. There’s a gap of several days with no clear standout sessions until Thursday 20 August, which is clean but small at 4 ft, and Friday 21 August is also clean but only 6 ft with a short 10-second period. Saturday 22 August is the last day of the forecast – clean but small, 4 ft, 10-second period, energy only 286. It’s a fade-out.
So, the best on offer is Friday morning 7 August – that big, clean, offshore 12 ft SW swell is the one to circle. The other standout is Wednesday 12 August morning with glassy conditions and that 18-second groundswell. Both are for experienced surfers only. Crowds are possible at Boneyards, so get in early.
Stay frothy.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Mon night, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4684 | 5438 | 3720 | 2782 | 5691 | 4169 | 2489 | 3078 | 1989 | 792 | 710 | 2057 | 861 | 483 | 1646 | 2223 | 2600 | 2201 | 3999 | 2627 | 1447 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:50AM1.05m | 10:22PM1.20m | 11:32AM1.09m | 11:55PM1.25m | 12:49PM1.22m | 1:05AM1.35m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:00AM1.45m | 2:32PM1.51m | 2:47AM1.53m | 3:14PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.56m | 3:53PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM0.55m | 5:10AM0.43m | 5:36PM0.51m | 6:33AM0.34m | 6:57PM0.39m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:55PM0.25m | 8:20AM0.10m | 8:44PM0.13m | 9:02AM0.02m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:08PM0.02m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 15 |
4684 | 5438 | 3720 | 2782 | 5691 | 4169 | 2489 | 3078 | 1989 | 792 | 710 | 2057 | 861 | 483 | 270 | 2223 | 2600 | 2201 | 3999 | 2627 | 1447 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 9 | — | — | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SW 21 | ESE 9 | NNW 7 | N 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 302 | 311 | 66 | 20 | 455 | 1646 | 120 | 88 | 1441 | 59 | 42 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SE 8 | — | SE 9 | SE 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 458 | — | 27 | 40 | 247 | 166 | 64 | 42 | — | 31 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | SSW 12 | — | S 10 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
45 | — | — | — | — | — | 280 | 2242 | — | 605 | 74 | 273 | 345 | 329 | 790 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 349 | 466 | 3890 | 25 | 161 | 161 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











