Danger Reef surf break

Danger Reef surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Monday 18 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Danger Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Danger Reef sea temperature is
16.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Danger Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Danger Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Danger Reef in the next 16 days are 2.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 21st May)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf 5PM (Fri 22nd May)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Most Powerful11AM (Mon 25th May)7ft (2.1m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
14
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.3
SSE
8
2.5
SE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.7
SE
8
1.2
SSE
8
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
14
0.9
SW
16
1.6
SW
16
2
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
647
945
1094
704
1012
428
381
166
106
98
258
318
492
528
537
473
573
432
1170
1471
1812
Wind (km/h)
35
SE
35
ESE
25
ESE
25
SE
20
ESE
15
E
5
SE
5
NNE
10
NNW
15
NW
15
NNW
15
N
10
NW
5
S
10
SSE
15
SSE
10
S
5
S
10
SSW
10
S
25
SE
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
High Tide
4:28PM1.51m
4:43AM1.54m
5:17PM1.46m
5:34AM1.43m
6:11PM1.39m
6:31AM1.30m
7:12PM1.32m
7:37AM1.17m
8:23PM1.27m
8:56AM1.09m
9:38PM1.25m
10:19AM1.07m
10:47PM1.27m
11:29AM1.10m
Low Tide
10:34PM0.14m
11:02AM0.08m
11:26PM0.22m
11:53AM0.18m
00:24AM0.31m
12:48PM0.29m
1:33AM0.40m
1:52PM0.39m
2:54AM0.45m
3:06PM0.45m
4:17AM0.45m
4:22PM0.48m
5:27AM0.41m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:50
5:50
5:49
5:49
5:47
5:46
5:46
1
Temp °C
19
18
18
20
18
17
21
20
19
19
17
16
17
17
17
17
16
16
17
16
16
14
13
14
18
14
15
21
20
18
17
16
14
16
18
16
16
15
16
17
16
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.7
SW
12
0.7
SSE
11
0.7
S
11
1.2
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
7
0.8
SW
16
1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.2
SW
14
1
SW
13
1.6
SW
16
2
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
Energy kJ
647
431
336
282
154
123
119
166
100
66
37
318
492
528
537
473
573
331
1170
1471
1812
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
S
8
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
15
0.3
SSE
14
0.2
SSE
12
0.6
SW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.5
S
11
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
18
0.6
WSW
11
0.4
SSE
6
0.5
S
6
0.2
S
9
0.3
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.9
SW
16
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
11
Energy kJ
100
11
18
38
14
114
67
57
106
90
258
75
12
16
6
58
194
432
25
23
22
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSE
13
0.1
S
17
0.1
SW
10
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
15
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SSE
11
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
11
0.5
SSE
6
0.3
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.1
SW
22
0.1
SE
13
0.2
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
12
0.3
SE
5
Energy kJ
31
6
4
25
22
69
39
98
79
22
17
7
18
7
15
27
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SSE
6
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
2.3
SSE
8
2.5
SE
9
1.8
SE
8
1.7
SE
8
0.2
NNW
2
0.4
NW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.5
NW
3
0.5
SSE
6
0.8
SSE
4
0.6
SSE
4
0.4
SE
6
0.2
SSE
5
Energy kJ
451
945
1094
704
1012
428
381
1
2
3
5
19
16
11
8
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
Distance (km)
23
23
16
10
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
19
0
10
10
10
10
10
3
10
36
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
7
5
5
7
6
5
4
5
4
  • 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 Danger Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Danger Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Danger Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Danger Reef 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 (Danger Reef) 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 Danger Reef 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 Danger Reef, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 20 km (12 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bellville which is 29 km (18 miles) away, Robben Island, Stellenbosch and Kayamnandi.

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