Surf Forecasts:
Cave Rock surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,906 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with S 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cave Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up at Cave Rock for the next couple of weeks.
We’re looking at a pretty grim start to the forecast with nothing worth paddling out for on the first few days. The water temp is sitting at 74°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The first real chance of a wave comes on Tuesday morning, 28 July, but it’s a short-period, messy south swell at 6ft with rain and choppy conditions. Not recommended.
The first genuine standout window opens up on Thursday morning, 30 July. This is where it gets interesting. The swell is a solid 7ft from the SE with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (842). The wind is glassy – dead calm – so the surface will be like a mirror. This is for advanced surfers only, as 7ft is pushing into expert territory at a reef break. The swell direction is from the SE, which is close to the optimum direction of SW, so it’s not a perfect match, but the clean conditions make it the best in the whole run.
Friday morning, 31 July, is also a good call. Still 6ft from the SE, but now with a light offshore wind out of the west. That’s clean and the energy is still moderate (742). This is a solid, more manageable option than the Thursday peak.
The next real highlight is Saturday morning, 1 August. Again, 7ft from the ESE with glassy conditions. The energy is strong (927). This is another expert-only session, and the swell is pushing a bit more east, which is still workable. It’s a close second to the Thursday morning standout.
After that, the surf drops off through the first week of August. By the 7th and 8th, we’re looking at a long-period, 18-second groundswell from the SSW, but it’s just 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is cross-onshore and messy. At a reef break, that long period could produce some lines, but the size and wind kill it. Not worth it.
Overall, the best of the 16-day window is Thursday morning, 30 July – the cleanest, most powerful swell of the run. Saturday morning, 1 August, is a close second. The rest is mostly a washout.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 7 | S 9 | SE 8 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1906 | 498 | 563 | 495 | 450 | 300 | 179 | 83 | 45 | 63 | 274 | 349 | 442 | 299 | 507 | 463 | 524 | 747 | 777 | 742 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:47AM1.38m | 1:42PM1.33m | 1:52AM1.47m | 2:30PM1.47m | 2:37AM1.57m | 3:06PM1.60m | 3:13AM1.67m | 3:38PM1.73m | 3:44AM1.75m | 4:07PM1.83m | 4:14AM1.81m | 4:36PM1.91m | 4:43AM1.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:17PM0.89m | 7:26AM0.78m | 7:39PM0.81m | 8:16AM0.66m | 8:30PM0.69m | 8:53AM0.54m | 9:09PM0.58m | 9:25AM0.43m | 9:42PM0.47m | 9:54AM0.34m | 10:13PM0.39m | 10:23AM0.27m | 10:43PM0.34m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 10 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 43 | 498 | 563 | 495 | 450 | 300 | 179 | 85 | 79 | 35 | 48 | 203 | 147 | 299 | 507 | 443 | 524 | 747 | 777 | 742 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | E 9 | S 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 125 | 269 | 123 | 174 | 118 | 236 | 178 | 71 | 23 | 24 | 51 | 176 | 40 | 211 | 87 | 85 | 83 | 95 | 50 | 52 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | SE 11 | S 19 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | E 9 | — | E 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | — | — | E 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 40 | 63 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 83 | 45 | 63 | 51 | 41 | — | 67 | 74 | 54 | 158 | — | — | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 4 | S 7 | S 7 | S 9 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1906 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 20 | 224 | 195 | 16 | 274 | 349 | 442 | — | 423 | 463 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 395 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 687 | 12 | 7 | 789 | 675 | 887 | 395 | 120 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 0 |
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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