
Surf Forecasts:
Dumps surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 3,866 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period with SW 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 15s period. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dumps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The only break in the mix for this 16-day window is Dumps, a sandbar set-up that’s inconsistent and takes a south-west swell. It’s a spot that doesn’t fire all the time, so when it lines up you’ve gotta be on it.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start. Sunday the 13th is your best early look – a glassy morning with a clean 7ft SW swell rolling in, period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping at 1550. That’s proper energy for a sandbar. Wind is light. The direction is right on the optimum from the west. This is a standout for experienced surfers only though – that’s not a beginner wave. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Monday and Tuesday chop right up with onshore winds and lumpy conditions, so you can forget those days. Wednesday the 16th starts to clean up again with a cross-off breeze, and we get a 8ft SW swell (combined energy 3275) – that’s a lot of power, and it’s clean. Still marginal for most, but if you’ve got the skill, it’s interesting.
The real standout stretch kicks off on Saturday the 19th. Morning is clear, offshore wind from the SE at 12 mph, and a solid 6ft SW swell with a 14-second period. Combined energy is 1438. The wind is off, the waves have shape – this is excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the pick of the first week.
Sunday the 20th stays clean with lighter winds and a 4ft to 5ft SW swell, good for a more relaxed session if you’re not after the heavy stuff.
Then into the second week, Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd bring another pulse: Tuesday morning sees 7ft SW swell, 14 seconds, light offshore breeze, combined energy 1537. Wednesday morning is even bigger at 8ft SW, clean cross-off winds, energy of 1874. Both are excellent for experienced surfers.
Beyond that, the swell keeps rolling but the wind picks up. Thursday the 24th afternoon bumps up to 8ft SSW with a very long 15-second period and massive energy of 4785 – that’s serious power. It’s clean, but the period is long so it might be a bit straight at a sandbar like Dumps.
Overall, the best windows are the mornings of Sunday the 13th, Saturday the 19th, and Tuesday/Wednesday the 22nd and 23rd. The 13th is the earliest standout, but the 19th and 22nd are the cleanest with proper offshore wind. Dumps is inconsistent and rarely breaks this well, so if it’s on, get in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Tue night, fresh winds from the SE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NW 7 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2482 | 1550 | 1119 | 663 | 473 | 309 | 250 | 252 | 1210 | 3504 | 2226 | 960 | 897 | 851 | 794 | 710 | 1179 | 1215 | 1018 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:23AM1.74m | 4:37PM1.83m | 4:54AM1.67m | 5:08PM1.74m | 5:25AM1.58m | 5:38PM1.62m | 5:57AM1.48m | 6:09PM1.50m | 6:32AM1.36m | 6:43PM1.36m | 7:19AM1.25m | 7:33PM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:19PM0.26m | 10:23AM0.31m | 10:48PM0.33m | 10:52AM0.38m | 11:17PM0.41m | 11:21AM0.48m | 11:46PM0.52m | 11:50AM0.60m | 00:18AM0.63m | 12:24PM0.73m | 00:57AM0.74m | 1:11PM0.85m | 2:06AM0.84m | ||||||
— | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
6:35 | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 23 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
2482 | 1550 | 1119 | 663 | 473 | 309 | 250 | 168 | 1210 | 3504 | 2226 | 960 | 897 | 851 | 794 | 710 | 1179 | 1215 | 1018 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 13 | SW 18 | WSW 7 | NW 6 | W 13 | SW 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | — | W 11 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
— | 110 | 73 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 26 | 252 | 78 | 43 | 1049 | 851 | 461 | 144 | 46 | — | 9 | 49 | 254 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 11 | SE 12 | — | — | — | ESE 13 | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 12 | 23 | — | — | — | 16 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | — | SSE 8 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 |
302 | — | 192 | 13 | 73 | 205 | 237 | 152 | 213 | — | — | 160 | 166 | 211 | 299 | 197 | 166 | 191 | 112 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 27 | 177 | 70 | 184 | 451 | 4 | 47 | 47 | 10 | 176 | 397 | 10 | 139 | 132 | 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.










