
Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 6,161 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Eerste Steen has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temperature is sitting pretty standard for this time of year, nothing wild there. The surf pattern kicks off with a bit of a wait, but once it gets going, we’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell.
Thursday and Friday (10th and 11th) are a write-off – messy cross-shore wind and a lumpy ocean. Not worth paddling out for. Saturday the 12th brings a real turn. Morning sees clean conditions with a 6ft SW swell (combined energy of 1831) and light cross-off breeze. By the afternoon, that swell builds to 8ft from the SW with a long 17-second period. The energy jumps right up (3633), but the wind stays cross-off and the waves are clean. This is a serious setup for intermediate surfers. The only catch? That long period groundswell can make beach breaks a bit straight, but Eerste Steen handles it well.
Now, Sunday the 13th morning is the absolute standout. The wind goes glassy – just 3 mph from the NE – over a 6ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is 1269, but don’t let that number fool you; with conditions like that, the quality will be top-tier. This is your window for smooth, groomed lines. The afternoon gets blown out, though, so get out early.
Monday the 14th afternoon looks weird: a big 12ft NW windswell (9-second period) and fresh cross-off wind, but the forecast says it’s too big for this break (1806 combined energy). That’s expert-only territory and honestly, risky for even the best.
After that, the forecast gets a bit patchy. Mid-week (17th and 18th) gives us another good shot. Thursday 17th morning has a clean 6ft SW swell under light SSE winds (1355 combined energy), and Friday 18th morning delivers a crisp 4ft SW groundswell (1311 combined energy) with light offshore wind. Surfable and clean, but not as powerful as the weekend.
The second week (from the 19th onward) is dominated by moderate cross-shore winds and consistent chest-to-head-high SW swell. Nothing mind-blowing, but there are rideable lumps. Morning of Sunday the 22nd is the best of the late run: a 6ft S swell with light offshores and clean conditions (885 combined energy). Smaller, but tidy.
Overall, the standout is Sunday 13th morning at Eerste Steen. Glassy, long-period SW groundswell, and clean lines. Saturday 12th afternoon is the runner-up for power surfers. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have a few locals out, but it won’t be a circus.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NW 9 | NW 8 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
607 | 2328 | 1672 | 1321 | 919 | 680 | 385 | 1500 | 3172 | 2010 | 1186 | 947 | 609 | 386 | 1606 | 736 | 404 | 2101 | 5605 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:33AM1.51m | 2:51PM1.66m | 3:10AM1.55m | 3:25PM1.70m | 3:44AM1.55m | 3:58PM1.68m | 4:17AM1.52m | 4:29PM1.62m | 4:48AM1.45m | 4:59PM1.52m | 5:18AM1.35m | 5:29PM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:31PM0.08m | 8:41AM0.05m | 9:08PM0.01m | 9:15AM0.02m | 9:42PM-0.01m | 9:48AM0.03m | 10:15PM0.01m | 10:19AM0.08m | 10:45PM0.07m | 10:49AM0.16m | 11:15PM0.17m | 11:18AM0.26m | 11:44PM0.28m | ||||||
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
6:32 | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:34 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:36 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 |
607 | 2328 | 1672 | 1321 | 919 | 680 | 385 | 1500 | 3172 | 2010 | 1186 | 947 | 609 | 386 | 200 | 190 | 263 | 2101 | 5605 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SSW 9 | — | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 13 | — | — | SW 20 | — | — |
238 | — | — | — | — | — | 134 | 106 | — | 169 | 83 | 52 | 24 | 3 | — | — | 404 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | — | — | WSW 15 | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 21 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | — | S 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | — |
16 | — | 18 | 140 | 203 | 475 | 251 | 225 | 461 | — | — | — | 11 | 237 | 1606 | 736 | 327 | 201 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 41 | 282 | 105 | 2 | 401 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 233 | 82 | 97 | 194 | 233 | 456 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










