
Surf Forecasts:
Dumps surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 4,492 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dumps this week:
The surf forecast for Dumps over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dumps in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dumps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the scoop on the only spot that’s really showing its face in the next couple of weeks. It’s all about The Dumps.
We’re looking at a solid run of surf, but with a few days of iffy conditions to start. The water at The Dumps is sitting at 56°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget that extra layer.
Things kick off on Monday, August 10th, but it’s a rough start. The swell is a chunky 8ft from the SSW, but with a 16 mph cross-off breeze, it’s going to be messy. The combined energy is a massive 1530 (moderate), but the wind is just too strong for a clean session. Tuesday, August 11th, is where it starts to get interesting. The swell drops to 6ft from the SSW, but the wind swings offshore from the ESE at a light 6 mph. That’s clean, surfable conditions, and the combined energy is 923 (moderate). It’s not huge, but it’s a nice, manageable size.
Now, get this: Wednesday, August 12th, is the standout. The swell is 6ft from the SW, but the period is a very long 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 2578 (strong). With a light offshore breeze in the morning and gentle offshore in the afternoon, this is going to be quality. The only thing to keep in mind is that long period, groundswell energy can make a beach break a bit straight, but The Dumps is a sandbar, so it should handle it. This is the one for the experienced crew.
The surf continues to be solid right through the week. Thursday, August 13th, is a bit bigger at 8ft, but the wind is cross-shore, making it less appealing. Friday, August 14th, has a killer afternoon session with glassy conditions and 6ft swell from the WSW. Saturday, August 15th, starts glassy with a 6ft swell, but the afternoon gets a bit of a cross-shore bump.
Heading into the second week, the highlight is Monday, August 17th. The swell jumps to 10ft from the WSW, with a 15-second period and light offshore winds in the morning and glassy conditions in the afternoon. The combined energy is a massive 3953 (very strong). That’s a serious day for experts only. The following Wednesday, August 19th, also looks excellent with 8ft swell and clean offshore breezes all day.
The end of the run gets a bit messy. Friday, August 21st, is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions. But then Saturday, August 22nd, has a big 8ft groundswell with a 17-second period, although the wind is onshore, so it’s a gamble. The final standout is Sunday, August 23rd, afternoon, with a 10ft swell from the SW and clean, cross-off winds. That’s a big, powerful close to the window.
For the best of the best, lock in Wednesday, August 12th, for the quality, long-period groundswell, and Monday, August 17th, for the raw power, but only if you’ve got the skill. Crowds are possible at The Dumps, especially on the good days, and it’s an inconsistent spot, so when it’s on, the locals will know.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1518 | 963 | 3125 | 876 | 541 | 1850 | 2223 | 2238 | 1916 | 3538 | 2567 | 1908 | 1475 | 1455 | 1161 | 1013 | 983 | 1028 | 1032 | 1491 | 4492 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:49PM1.60m | 2:07AM1.66m | 2:36PM1.73m | 2:54AM1.73m | 3:18PM1.83m | 3:36AM1.77m | 3:58PM1.88m | 4:15AM1.77m | 4:35PM1.88m | 4:52AM1.72m | 5:11PM1.83m | 5:27AM1.65m | 5:47PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:01PM0.46m | 8:24AM0.35m | 8:50PM0.36m | 9:06AM0.27m | 9:33PM0.28m | 9:45AM0.24m | 10:13PM0.26m | 10:21AM0.25m | 10:50PM0.28m | 10:56AM0.29m | 11:26PM0.34m | 11:29AM0.37m | 00:00AM0.43m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SW 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 |
6 | 368 | 2468 | 876 | 541 | 1850 | 2223 | 2238 | 1916 | 3538 | 2567 | 1908 | 1475 | 1455 | 1161 | 1013 | 983 | 1028 | 1032 | 1491 | 4492 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 24 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SW 10 | SW 21 | N 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | NW 6 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 390 | 76 | 20 | 381 | 207 | 247 | 64 | 1445 | 22 | 85 | 41 | 55 | 72 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 11 | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | SE 11 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 115 | — | 27 | 20 | 211 | 108 | 18 | 8 | 15 | 13 | — | — | 30 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | — | SSE 7 | SE 8 | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1518 | 963 | 3125 | 187 | 213 | 505 | — | 37 | 67 | — | 80 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 173 | 139 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Dumps Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Dumps provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dumps can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dumps 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 (Dumps) 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 Dumps 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 Dumps, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 6 km (4 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 14 km (9 miles) away, Robben Island, Kayamnandi and Stellenbosch.











