Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 10,432 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Eerste Steen this week:
The surf forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Eerste Steen in the next 16 days are 6.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up for Eerste Steen. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is much colder than normal for this time of year – nearly three degrees off, so you’ll want a good steamer.
Right now, we’re in a quiet spell. The first real chance to get wet won’t be until Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September. There’s a solid 10ft SW groundswell rolling in, with a long 14-second period and moderate wave energy (3398). The wind’s light and cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but rideable for intermediates. That’s a fair bit of size though – over 8ft, so this one’s for the experienced crew only. It stays big into the afternoon, but the wind swings cross-onshore and chops it up.
Thursday the 3rd of September is a true standout, but only if you’re a serious charger. The swell jumps to a massive 20ft from the SW, with a very long 12-second period and extreme energy (10208). The wind is clean and cross-offshore in the morning – perfect conditions for a wave this size. But let’s be real, that’s way over 8ft; it’s only for expert surfers, and even then, it’s heavy. The afternoon drops to 16ft, still huge.
After that, things settle down fast. Friday the 4th has a 7ft S swell with moderate energy (1379) and clean cross-off wind, but it’s a short 10-second period – less push. By the weekend, we’re dropping to 3ft and smaller, with clean but weak conditions. Crowds are possible here at Eerste Steen, as it’s a fairly consistent spot that draws a few locals when the swell’s on.
Then we hit a long flat spell. From Saturday afternoon the 5th right through to the 11th of September, there’s barely anything worth paddling for – just knee-high dribble and onshore slop. A little bump shows up on Sunday the 6th with 5ft SW groundswell and a very long 15-second period, glassy morning winds, and clean conditions – that’s a nice little window for a more relaxed session, but the energy is only moderate (980). After that, it’s mostly small and messy until the 13th of September, when a 7ft SSE windswell with short 8-second period and moderate energy (1015) shows up under clean cross-off wind – surfable but nothing to write home about.
Overall, the best on offer is that Thursday morning session on the 3rd of September for experts, and the Sunday morning glass-off on the 6th for anyone wanting clean, manageable waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SSE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 1447 | 1499 | 1019 | 875 | 1237 | 2214 | 2873 | 4302 | 3398 | 2681 | 1729 | 10208 | 7156 | 2091 | 900 | 651 | 389 | 225 | 148 | 1091 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | 5:03PM1.59m | 5:23AM1.41m | 5:38PM1.52m | 6:02AM1.31m | 6:19PM1.41m | 6:49AM1.20m | 7:11PM1.27m | 7:57AM1.08m | 8:31PM1.15m | 9:47AM1.03m | 10:28PM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.07m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:22AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.19m | 11:59AM0.28m | 00:39AM0.29m | 12:46PM0.40m | 1:38AM0.41m | 1:56PM0.53m | 3:14AM0.50m | 3:58PM0.59m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | S 9 | SSE 7 | SW 17 |
2008 | 1447 | 1499 | 1019 | 875 | 1237 | 2214 | 2873 | 4302 | 3398 | 2681 | 1729 | — | 1247 | 454 | 361 | 527 | 389 | 192 | 79 | 1091 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | S 8 | WSW 10 | SW 10 | SSE 7 |
11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 118 | — | 230 | 225 | 148 | 73 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 15 | 64 | 98 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 5 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | — |
— | 73 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | 10208 | 7156 | 2091 | 900 | 651 | 306 | 46 | 145 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 72 | 341 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 39 | 57 | 420 | 662 | 995 | 1224 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Eerste Steen Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Eerste Steen provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Eerste Steen can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Eerste Steen 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 (Eerste Steen) 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 Eerste Steen 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.
Eerste Steen is 8 km (5 miles) from the very large city of Robben Island. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Robben Island. Robben Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as cheap car hire and transport links.











