Eerste Steen Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board and wax—here’s how the next few weeks are shaping up for Eerste Steen (South Africa). We’ve got a solid run of swell and wind lining up, but you’ll need to pick your moments carefully.

The water is sitting at 57°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 3°F off the average. Nothing crazy, but you’ll want a decent spring suit.

We kick off on Wednesday 22 July with a building SW swell—7 ft at 12 seconds—and the combined energy is already pumping at 1251 (moderate to strong). Winds are light and cross in the morning, so the surf is rideable but a little messy. By Thursday afternoon, though, things clean right up: 7 ft SW swell, 11 seconds, and a gentle cross-off breeze from the NNE. That’s your first real window for experienced surfers—the energy jumps to 1847 and the face is clean.

Friday morning is the standout of the whole outlook. The swell jumps to 12 ft from the SW with a 14-second period—that’s groundswell, proper. The combined energy hits 4362 (very strong). Glassy offshore E wind at 5 km/h (3 mph). This is a big, powerful wave, and it’s only for experienced surfers—over 8 ft means it’s expert territory. Long period like this will make it steep and lined up, but at a beach break it can close out. Still, if you’ve got the skill, Friday morning is *the* session.

Saturday morning the 25th is still solid—7 ft SW, 13 seconds, light cross-off breeze, clean. Energy at 1855. Another good call for intermediates and above.

Sunday morning the 26th is glassy with an E wind, 6 ft SW, 11 seconds—that’s clean, forgiving, and a joy to surf. The energy is moderate at 1226, but the glassy conditions make it special.

The following week (Monday 27 July through to early August) keeps a steady pulse of SW swell, mostly in the 6 ft–8 ft range, with clean cross-off winds from the SE. The Tuesday 28th afternoon window is particularly good: 8 ft SW, 15 seconds (very long period), combined energy of 2964 (strong), and clean cross-off winds. That’s a big, powerful swell for experts again.

By Friday 31 July, the swell drops to 4 ft with offshore winds—small but clean, good for a longboard or a fun session.

Things go quiet into the first weekend of August, with swell dropping below 3 ft on Saturday 1 August. The energy is weak (177), and conditions are ordinary.

But there’s a second pulse arriving around Sunday 2 August: 4 ft SW, 12 seconds, clean cross-off winds, energy around 476. That’s small but fun. Monday 3 August keeps it going with 4 ft–5 ft swell and clean winds.

The run from Wednesday 5 August into Thursday 6 August looks poor—strong cross-winds and lumpy, messy surf. However, Thursday morning the 6th turns glassy again with a 4 ft SSW swell, 12 seconds—that’s a clean, gentle session for the end of the outlook.

So, to sum it up: the absolute best is Friday 24 July morning for the big, glassy, 12 ft SW groundswell—for experts only. For the rest of us, Thursday 23 July afternoon and Sunday 26 July morning offer the best combo of size, clean conditions, and energy.

Stay sharp, surf safe, and don’t sleep on that Friday morning.

— Rusty

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