Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,121 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’re looking at a bit of a slow start. The surf on offer is marginal and the first real standout is a few days away. We’ll have a few small, clean waves to tide us over, but the real action doesn’t kick off until the end of next week.
First up, Eerste Steen on Wednesday, the 26th of August. It’s not huge, with a 4ft swell from the WSW, but the wind is light and cross-off, giving us clean conditions. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. The combined swell energy is moderate (851) and the 13-second period means there’s some decent shape in the waves. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and the crowds are only sometimes, so you might get a few waves to yourself.
The pattern continues into Thursday, but the wind shifts onshore and the quality drops. Friday and Saturday look a bit messy with onshore winds and chop, nothing to get excited about.
Now, the standout. Mark your calendars for Monday, the 31st of August. The morning at Eerste Steen is looking prime. The swell is a solid 6ft from the SW with an 11-second period, and the wind is glassy – absolutely dead calm. That’s a major positive. The combined energy is moderate (943), and the whole setup points to very clean, surfable waves.
Tuesday, the 1st of September, is a big one, but it’s for experts only. The swell jumps to 10ft in the morning from the SW, with a long 13-second period and clean cross-off winds. The combined energy is strong (2782). However, by the afternoon, the swell hits 13ft and the wind turns cross-on, making it too big and messy for most. This is big, powerful groundswell, and it’s going to be a lot of water moving around. The size is only for the experienced crew.
After that, the swell drops back down through the first week of September. The 3rd of September (Thursday) morning has a clean, glassy 10ft swell from the SW again, excellent for those who know what they’re doing, but the wind turns onshore by the afternoon. The rest of the week into the second sees a mix of smaller, cleaner swells and some onshore junk, nothing to write home about.
The long-range stuff around the 6th and 7th of September is small and weak, with a 2ft to 4ft swell, so don’t expect any fireworks. The 8th of September (Tuesday) afternoon has a tiny 3ft glassy swell, which could be a fun little session for the longboarders.
Bottom line: The best bet is the glassy Monday morning on the 31st of August. If you’re experienced, the clean 10ft swell on the morning of the 3rd of September is also a solid call. Everything else is a gamble.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1686 | 1045 | 578 | 525 | 446 | 471 | 455 | 363 | 280 | 553 | 454 | 586 | 778 | 2002 | 1857 | 1602 | 1180 | 799 | 447 | 467 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | 2:36PM1.42m | 2:44AM1.41m | 3:04PM1.52m | 3:14AM1.47m | 3:32PM1.59m | 3:44AM1.50m | 4:01PM1.63m | 4:16AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | 5:03PM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:27AM0.21m | 8:46PM0.24m | 8:54AM0.14m | 9:15PM0.16m | 9:21AM0.09m | 9:44PM0.10m | 9:49AM0.07m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.07m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | |||||||
— | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 17 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
1686 | 1045 | 578 | 525 | 446 | 471 | 455 | 363 | 279 | 553 | 454 | 586 | 778 | 2002 | 1857 | 1602 | 1180 | 799 | 447 | 467 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 8 | S 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | WSW 16 | SW 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | — | S 10 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 |
146 | 163 | 130 | 289 | 328 | 256 | 186 | 138 | 121 | 171 | 96 | 211 | 281 | 22 | 11 | — | 2 | 144 | 379 | 270 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | — | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | — | WSW 17 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 154 | 143 | 357 | 191 | — | 26 | 126 | 280 | — | 117 | 77 | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — |
167 | 265 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 6 |
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.











