Surf Forecasts:
Cave Rock surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,548 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cave Rock this week:
The surf forecast for Cave Rock over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cave Rock in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cave Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and let's be straight with you—looking at Cave Rock, the story over the next 16 days is a rough one. We've got a lot of messy, blown-out conditions, and the swell is all over the place. The water temp is sitting right around 70°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year.
The first solid swell we see is a bit of a tease. On Sunday the 30th, there's a 6ft swell from the SSW, but with a short 7-second period and a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore wind, it's lumpy and poor. That theme continues through the start of the week with choppy, cross-shore winds and small, weak swells. The energy is low, mostly in the 140-360 range, nothing to write home about.
The standout—and it's not saying much—is the morning of September 6th. That Sunday morning, we get a clean 6ft S swell with a 14-second period and a moderate 12 mph cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The combined wave energy is a strong 1498. The window is clean, and while the swell is a bit on the bigger side for beginners, it's got good shape for a reef. The crowds can be around sometimes, so be ready for company. The downside is the swell direction is S, but this spot wants it from the SW, so it's not perfect, but it's the best on offer.
Before that, there's a few days of nothing. From the 31st through to the 5th, it's mostly small, weak, and windy. The morning of the 4th of September sees a 10ft SSE swell with a 9-second period, but it's got a strong onshore wind, making it a mess. At that size, it's only for the experienced crew, and frankly, it looks more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle surfing one.
After that September 6th window, the second week gets shaky. The 7th and 8th are blown out with strong winds, and the 9th to the 13th sees small, clean but tiny swells. The 13th afternoon has a 4ft E swell with a clean cross-offshore wind, but the energy is only 295, so it's weak.
So, if you're looking for a wave, the morning of September 6th at Cave Rock is your best bet. It's a reef break, so it'll handle that long-period S swell okay, but it's not the ideal direction. For the rest of the time, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNE on Sat night, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, near gales from the SSW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 8 | S 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 5 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 71 | 329 | 248 | 212 | 207 | 262 | 239 | 230 | 104 | 187 | 198 | 216 | 259 | 118 | 164 | 898 | 2548 | 2294 | 924 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:45AM1.97m | 5:04PM2.09m | 5:13AM1.95m | 5:32PM2.04m | 5:42AM1.88m | 6:03PM1.95m | 6:14AM1.78m | 6:36PM1.81m | 6:50AM1.63m | 7:14PM1.63m | 7:38AM1.45m | 8:11PM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:45PM0.19m | 10:51AM0.12m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:19AM0.15m | 11:42PM0.26m | 11:48AM0.23m | 00:13AM0.35m | 12:20PM0.36m | 00:47AM0.49m | 12:57PM0.54m | 1:31AM0.65m | 1:46PM0.74m | 2:44AM0.82m | ||||||
 |  | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 5:38 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 26 | 28 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | S 7 | E 9 | E 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSW 16 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 767 | 352 | 335 | 212 | 207 | 262 | 239 | 4 | 74 | 187 | 126 | 76 | 259 | 40 | 186 | 113 | 47 | 1931 | 924 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | S 6 | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 17 | ENE 10 | E 11 |
| kJ | 71 | 42 | 23 | 66 | 36 | 26 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 36 | 84 | 216 | 35 | 118 | — | — | 27 | 32 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 10 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SW 11 | S 15 | S 7 | — | NE 7 | E 9 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 17 | 28 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 7 | 54 | 10 | — | — | 29 | 25 | 41 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 8 | S 8 | SE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | E 9 | E 6 | ENE 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | NE 4 | S 5 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | — |
| kJ | — | 329 | 248 | 30 | 32 | 20 | — | 230 | 104 | 160 | 198 | 132 | — | 20 | 164 | 898 | 2548 | 2294 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 789 | 10 | 363 | 395 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 164 | 164 | 38 | 7 | 7 | 1207 | 1431 | 1237 | 811 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cave Rock Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cave Rock provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cave Rock can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cave Rock 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 (Cave Rock) 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 Cave Rock 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 Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Cave Rock, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, consider staying in Durban which is 6 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Durban/KwaZulu-Natal South Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Glenwood which is 8 km (5 miles) away, Umlazi, Kwamashu and Umhlanga.
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