
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: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,161 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boneyards over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's talk about Boneyards.
Alright, we've got a bit of a slow start here, but there's some serious firepower on the way. The first real action is on Tuesday, the 21st. That morning, the wind goes glassy, and we're looking at a 8ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is monstrous (2351). This is proper, powerful stuff. Because of that long period, those waves will be holding up really well, but it's a reef break, so it'll handle it. With that size and period, this is definitely one for the experienced crew only. The afternoon cleans up with a sweet cross-offshore wind and a 10ft SW swell (2736 energy). It's slightly bigger, but the wind is cooperating, so the shape will be there.
Then we get a bit of a lull with messy, onshore winds Wednesday and Thursday, but the real standout is Friday, the 24th. The morning is a beauty. We've got a massive 12ft SW groundswell, a very long 15-second period, and a clean cross-offshore wind from the SSE. The combined energy is a massive 4823. It's a true heavyweight session for the experienced. The afternoon drops a bit to 10ft, still clean, but with a moderate breeze.
The weekend of the 26th and 27th is looking excellent as well. The 26th starts with a long-period 4ft SSW groundswell (17 seconds) and a light offshore wind, glassing up by the afternoon to 7ft. Perfect for a more relaxed session if the 12ft days are too heavy. The 27th Monday morning pumps again with an 12ft SSW swell and a 17-second period, but the wind is stronger, still cross-off but a fresh breeze.
After that, the swell drops off and the wind turns nasty. From the 28th through to the 3rd of August, it's a write-off with strong, onshore winds and messy, poor conditions. There's a brief window on the 29th with a clean offshore breeze and a smaller 4ft SW swell, but it's not a standout.
So, the pick of the bunch is Tuesday the 21st for the glassy morning, and then Friday the 24th for the absolute peak size and power. The weekend of the 26th/27th also offers a great, slightly less intense alternative. Get out there for those windows.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
850 | 1010 | 1359 | 1111 | 481 | 175 | 457 | 2311 | 2722 | 2017 | 1319 | 1363 | 1025 | 905 | 1189 | 8161 | 4823 | 3495 | 2824 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 12:11PM1.01m | 00:19AM1.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:57AM0.53m | 6:15PM0.61m | |||||||
— | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | |
5:57 | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | W 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
850 | 143 | 1359 | 1111 | 481 | 175 | 457 | 2311 | 2722 | 2017 | 1319 | 1363 | 1025 | 905 | 1189 | 8161 | 4823 | 3495 | 2824 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | SSE 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | SW 10 | SW 12 | W 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | S 11 | SSW 19 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | — |
191 | 85 | 73 | 142 | 123 | 173 | 244 | 40 | 31 | 30 | 42 | 12 | 18 | 91 | 475 | 36 | 34 | 5 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SW 18 | SSW 7 | SE 11 | W 9 | — | ESE 11 | SE 15 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — |
141 | 21 | 33 | 23 | 30 | 80 | 68 | 59 | 14 | — | 11 | 8 | 17 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 |
3 | 1010 | — | — | — | 120 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 52 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 32 | 32 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 25 |
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.










