
Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,913 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period with SW 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Eerste Steen in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on offer for the coming weeks.
The bulk of the action is at Eerste Steen, and it’s a bit of a slow builder this week. The early part of the forecast is pretty average, with a few sessions that are just not worth paddling out for. The real standout is shaping up to be Tuesday the 21st. That morning we’re looking at a clean, glassy 7ft SW groundswell with a solid 14-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1715. The wind is glassy, which is a major plus, so the waves will be clean and well-shaped. This is one for the experienced crew though, as that size and energy will be a handful. The long period suggests better sets at this fairly exposed point, so you’ll want to be on your game.
The following Thursday the 23rd has another cracker in the afternoon. That swell is 8ft from the SW with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is a massive 3520. It’s glassy again, so expect some serious, clean lines. Again, this is expert territory. Friday the 24th morning sees the swell jump to 12ft, but that’s likely too big for this break, so best to give it a miss unless you’re a total charger.
Looking into the second week, things start to settle. The morning of Saturday the 25th is still good for experienced surfers with a 8ft SW swell and clean offshore winds. Later in the week, the morning of Tuesday the 28th and the morning of Friday the 31st offer some decent options with clean conditions and 7ft swell, but the energy drops off. By the first weekend of August, the swell fades significantly, dropping to under 3ft, so it’s small and clean but not much to get excited about.
Water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is about 2° cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there, just standard winter chill.
The very best of the whole outlook is that Tuesday the 21st morning session. A close second is the Thursday the 23rd afternoon. Don’t miss those if you can handle the size.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
625 | 945 | 1069 | 481 | 279 | 322 | 1664 | 2205 | 1828 | 1341 | 1207 | 977 | 1103 | 3021 | 8075 | 4362 | 3278 | 2975 | 2474 | 1751 | 1073 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:01PM1.42m | 7:23AM1.17m | 7:45PM1.31m | 8:15AM1.07m | 8:37PM1.19m | 9:22AM1.00m | 9:43PM1.11m | 10:48AM0.98m | 11:05PM1.08m | 12:11PM1.02m | 00:19AM1.11m | 1:10PM1.09m | 1:14AM1.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:39PM0.27m | 1:24AM0.33m | 1:21PM0.39m | 2:14AM0.43m | 2:09PM0.51m | 3:14AM0.51m | 3:14PM0.60m | 4:34AM0.55m | 4:48PM0.64m | 5:57AM0.53m | 6:16PM0.61m | 6:58AM0.46m | 7:16PM0.54m | ||||||||
7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 |
625 | 945 | 1069 | 481 | 279 | 322 | 1664 | 2205 | 1828 | 1341 | 1207 | 977 | 1103 | 3021 | 8075 | 4362 | 3278 | 2975 | 2474 | 1751 | 1073 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 12 | — | WSW 13 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | S 6 | S 12 |
146 | 100 | 121 | 118 | 90 | 69 | 39 | 24 | — | 21 | — | 193 | — | 499 | — | — | — | — | 606 | 68 | 341 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
36 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 50 | 118 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 58 | 107 | 57 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 31 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










