Captains surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Thursday 16 Apr 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Captains surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Captains sea temperature is
16.6° C
(Which is 1.2°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Captains this week:

The surf forecast for Captains over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Captains in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 16th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 16th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 22nd Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Captains over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun night, light winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Thu
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
!
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0
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0
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0
0
0
!
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Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
SW
2.3
SW
2.4
SW
2.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
3
SW
2.5
SW
1.3
SW
3
SW
4.5
WSW
4.5
SW
4.5
SW
4
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.5
SW
3.5
SSW
4
SSW
4
SSW
3.5
SSW
2.5
SSW
Period(s) (?)141312111213111310111214141313121215151414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)29311723165517331906271114026031673453558716849544435272204203540267646771046582561
Wind
(km/h)
15
WSW
15
N
35
NNW
10
NNW
5
NNW
15
NNW
30
NW
20
N
40
NW
40
W
35
W
20
W
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
N
5
WSW
25
SSE
15
SE
5
S
15
ESE
10
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
ononononcrosscrossoncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:39PM
1.53
2:49AM
1.71
3:17PM
1.58
3:27AM
1.72
3:56PM
1.58
4:07AM
1.69
4:37PM
1.53
4:50AM
1.59
5:21PM
1.44
5:36AM
1.46
6:11PM
1.33
6:31AM
1.30
7:15PM
1.22
7:43AM
1.15
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:40PM
0.08
9:09AM
-0.07
9:18PM
0.04
9:47AM
-0.08
9:57PM
0.05
10:27AM
-0.04
10:39PM
0.11
11:09AM
0.06
11:24PM
0.21
11:56AM
0.19
12:18AM
0.33
12:52PM
0.33
1:28AM
0.46
Thu
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Sunrise--7:09--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:11--7:13--7:13
Sunset6:22--6:21--6:20--6:19--6:17--6:15--6:15--
clear
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--12261-4374----------
Temp. °C171617131416171617161516161615171617212019
Feels °C (?)141311911131211108612121313151314191717
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Captains Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Captains provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Captains can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Captains 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 (Captains) 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 Captains 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.

Captains is 12 km (7 miles) from the city of Robben Island. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Robben Island. Robben Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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