Surf Forecasts:
Dumps surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,582 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2AM. 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 7s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dumps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s switch to the old-school numbers for the same period at Dumps.
First off, the water temperature is 56°F, which is about 4°F colder than usual for this time of year. You’ll want your thickest wetsuit.
The start is a total write-off. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are poor. Monday afternoon has a 7ft NW windswell with a short 7-second period and a moderate combined energy of 605, but a 25 km/h cross-onshore wind makes it a messy, choppy mess. Tuesday’s even worse with 35 km/h winds.
Wednesday the 16th morning sees the swell switch to SW at 8ft with a long 13-second period and strong energy of 3721. The wind is cross-off from the SSE at 35 km/h, keeping it clean, but 8ft is expert-only territory. Too big for beginners. Same story through to Friday – clean but heavy.
The real window opens Saturday the 21st. The swell drops to a manageable 4ft from the WSW with a 12-second period and weak energy of 551. The wind goes light at 10 km/h from the SE, meaning glassy, clean conditions. This is the peak of the first week. Dumps is an inconsistent sandbar, and crowds are only sometimes an issue, so you could have it all to yourself.
The absolute standout is Tuesday the 22nd of September. Morning has 4ft from the SW with a long 13-second period, combined energy at 762 (moderate), and a light 10 km/h offshore breeze from the SE. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions”. That morning is the one.
There’s a bit of a lull from Thursday the 24th to Saturday the 26th as winds freshen again, but Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th are another highlight. Sunday morning shows 5ft from the WSW with a 13-second period, combined energy of 726, and a gentle offshore wind from the ESE at 15 km/h. Another “expect very good surf conditions” – long-period, clean, and well-shaped.
So the long and short of it: the first few days are a bust. Go for Saturday 21st, Tuesday 22nd, and the Sunday/Monday around the 27th-28th. Those are your best shots. The far-out stuff looks promising, but be ready for changes.
Stay sharp. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 337 | 269 | 266 | 1001 | 3582 | 2494 | 1086 | 2005 | 1550 | 835 | 754 | 756 | 1069 | 932 | 514 | 700 | 543 | 891 | 1154 | 725 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 8:50AM1.17m | 9:28PM1.15m | 11:21AM1.20m | 11:45PM1.20m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:12PM0.95m | 4:29AM0.87m | 5:44PM0.89m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:39 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 268 | 217 | 168 | 1001 | 3582 | 2494 | 1086 | 2005 | 1550 | 835 | 754 | 756 | 1069 | 932 | 514 | 700 | 543 | 891 | 1154 | 725 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SW 18 | SE 13 | NW 7 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | W 12 | — | SSW 11 | S 10 | SW 15 | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | — | SSW 10 | SE 11 | — | W 19 |
| kJ | 16 | 7 | 192 | 7 | 156 | 849 | 1011 | 383 | — | 222 | 49 | 255 | — | 203 | 305 | — | 18 | 19 | — | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 41 | 378 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | — | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 5 | S 5 |
| kJ | 337 | 269 | 266 | 596 | — | — | 94 | 118 | 245 | 281 | 211 | 176 | 382 | 271 | 359 | 412 | 254 | 122 | 113 | 82 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 27 | 226 | 184 | 139 | 336 | 173 | 47 | 176 | 397 | 48 | 17 | 1410 | 10 | 139 | 397 | 452 | 173 | 859 | 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.
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