Surf Forecasts:
Cave Rock surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,962 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cave Rock in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cave Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee and settle in. Let’s talk Cave Rock.
The next 16 days are a proper test of patience. For the first week and a half, there’s next to nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is inconsistent, mostly small, and the wind is often a mess. We’ve got a long stretch of days where the scores are flat and the conditions are just plain poor. You’ll be looking at a lot of cross-shore, cross-onshore, and choppy lines. The combined energy hangs around 190 to 750 (mild to moderate) but it’s paired with dirty wind or questionable tide. The water temp is about 70°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so the wetsuit choice is easy—but it won’t make up for the lack of quality.
There is one standout on the horizon, and it’s a long way off. Thursday 3rd September shows a real pulse of energy. The swell is coming from the S at 8 ft with a period of 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 3479 (strong to very strong). The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the ENE, keeping it clean. That’s a solid window for advanced surfers. Because it’s a reef break, that long period will wrap in nicely. The optimum swell direction is from the SW, and this is coming from the S, so it’s not dead perfect, but it’s close enough to get excited about. The 4th of September also has some leftover energy, but it’s a step down and the wind is fresh.
So here’s the bottom line: the next week and a bit is a write-off. After that, Thursday 3rd September is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s promising, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on the updates.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NE by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 7 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 205 | 636 | 521 | 255 | 151 | 67 | 581 | 1664 | 755 | 472 | 333 | 302 | 103 | 84 | 193 | 341 | 488 | 454 | 339 | 470 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:04PM1.40m | 8:28AM1.22m | 9:28PM1.25m | 12:11PM1.16m | 00:48AM1.27m | 1:47PM1.32m | 1:52AM1.40m | 2:22PM1.50m | 2:28AM1.55m | 2:50PM1.67m | 2:57AM1.68m | 3:17PM1.82m | 3:25AM1.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:29AM0.89m | 2:31PM0.94m | 5:06AM0.97m | 6:20PM1.00m | 7:26AM0.86m | 7:49PM0.85m | 8:07AM0.70m | 8:27PM0.69m | 8:37AM0.55m | 8:57PM0.54m | 9:04AM0.41m | 9:24PM0.40m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 15 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 6 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 |
| kJ | 34 | 636 | 521 | 255 | 151 | 66 | 101 | 16 | 755 | 472 | 333 | 302 | 103 | 84 | 193 | 64 | 488 | 454 | 339 | 470 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | S 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 4 | SSW 14 | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | SSW 16 | E 9 | E 9 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 61 | 103 | 21 | 21 | 4 | 67 | — | — | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 62 | 17 | 3 | 341 | 6 | 6 | 101 | 139 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | E 9 | SSW 14 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 9 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 20 | — | — | 21 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 40 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 5 | S 15 | S 10 | — | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | S 4 | S 6 | — | — | NE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 205 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 45 | 581 | 1664 | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 12 | 101 | — | — | 5 | 22 | 91 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 320 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 848 | 276 | 228 | 676 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 164 | 164 | 0 | 687 | 687 | 12 |
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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