Danger Reef surf break

Danger Reef surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am 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
16.6° 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 Wednesday (May 20) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 12s is also forecast. 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 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5PM (Wed 20th May)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 20th May)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 25th May)7ft (2.2m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
3
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
9
2.2
SSE
9
2.4
SSE
9
1.7
SE
8
1.7
SSE
8
2
SE
9
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
752
647
1030
1233
759
904
381
383
595
107
98
258
318
567
528
537
465
716
437
793
1255
Wind (km/h)
30
SE
40
SE
35
ESE
25
SE
25
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
5
SSE
5
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
N
10
NNW
10
SSW
10
S
10
S
10
SSE
10
SSE
5
SSW
5
SW
5
WNW
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-off
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
Low Tide
10:16AM-0.00m
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
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
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
2
Temp °C
17
19
18
18
20
17
18
21
19
17
17
16
17
18
17
17
17
16
17
18
17
12
14
13
15
17
11
16
22
20
16
15
15
17
18
17
16
15
15
17
18
17
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1
SW
13
0.9
SW
13
0.8
SW
12
0.6
SW
12
0.6
S
11
1.3
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
7
0.8
S
7
0.8
SW
16
1.1
SW
16
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
13
1.3
SW
12
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.3
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
Energy kJ
752
647
431
336
282
178
114
89
249
107
71
57
318
567
528
537
465
716
437
793
1255
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
13
0.8
SSW
8
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
15
0.3
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
13
0.5
S
12
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
SW
11
0.6
SW
10
0.5
S
6
0.4
SE
6
0.3
SW
4
0.3
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.3
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
11
Energy kJ
55
85
11
18
40
53
72
67
69
106
90
99
87
20
9
3
58
113
361
24
22
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSE
13
0.3
S
10
0.1
S
17
0.2
SSW
16
0.2
SSW
15
0.4
SW
11
0.3
SSE
11
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.6
S
6
0.3
S
10
0.4
SW
4
0.2
SSE
6
0.1
SE
13
0.2
SSE
13
0.3
SSE
12
0.1
SE
6
0.1
E
11
Energy kJ
55
19
6
25
22
30
23
98
258
29
17
4
4
7
16
27
1
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SE
6
2.4
SSE
6
3
SSE
8
3
SSE
9
2.2
SSE
9
2.4
SSE
9
1.7
SE
8
1.7
SSE
8
2
SE
9
0.3
NNW
2
0.6
NW
4
0.4
NNW
3
0.4
SSE
4
0.3
SE
6
Energy kJ
148
437
1030
1233
759
904
381
383
595
1
8
5
6
5
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
Distance (km)
23
23
16
16
10
10
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
10
10
10
10
0
1
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
4
3
4
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
6
5
7
5
5
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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