Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,331 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s period. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The long-range charts are starting to show some life for Eerste Steen, but we’re gonna have to wade through a bit of chop and cross-shore mess before the good stuff lines up. The first solid call isn’t until Friday the 21st of August. Before that, it’s a lot of average, macking southwest swell with sideshore winds messing up the lines. Not writing it off completely, but there’s nothing that’ll have you sprinting for the board.
The standout, no doubt, is Friday morning. Glassy conditions with a light ENE breeze, 7ft of SW swell at 12 seconds. It’s got that clean, lined-up look that makes this place sing. You’re looking at solid, head-high-plus waves with some push behind them. The energy reading is moderate at 1234, but the lack of wind is the real hero here. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so just your usual 3/2 fullsuit for the morning session.
Saturday the 22nd backs off a touch – 4ft in the morning with a cross-offshore breeze. It’ll be clean, but smaller. More of a longboard or a fish day, still fun, but it’s a step down from Friday.
Now, the following week starts to get interesting, and a bit more serious. Monday the 24th sees the swell jump up again – 8ft with a 15 second period. There’s a lot of water moving, and the energy reading jumps to a strong 3291. But the wind is cross-shore from the SSE, so it’s going to be lumpy and a bit of a battle. This is one for the experienced crew who don’t mind some chop for the sake of a bigger, more powerful wave. The long period also means it’ll be breaking a bit more closed-out at the beach, so watch for the sets.
Then there’s Tuesday the 25th. Another glassy morning with a light E breeze. 6ft of solid SW groundswell at 13 seconds. Clean. Rippable. This is your second standout, a proper clean, fun day. It’s not as big as Monday, but it’s going to be so much more user-friendly. I’d be on it early.
After that, things go a bit sideways. The winds get strong and onshore, and the swell just keeps getting bigger. By Friday the 28th and into the weekend, we’re looking at 12ft to 13ft. That’s way too big for this break – it’ll just be a whitewater mess. The energy readings are massive, 5713 and 6806, but that’s not a good thing here. For the average surfer, this is a stay-on-the-beach situation. For a few expert chargers, maybe, but honestly, with the wind forecast, it’s going to be ugly.
So, bottom line: Friday the 21st and Tuesday the 25th are your mornings. Get them while they’re clean. The rest is either crossed-up or way too big.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1444 | 1384 | 2082 | 3331 | 2528 | 2026 | 1783 | 1735 | 1975 | 2257 | 1638 | 1427 | 1291 | 1513 | 2283 | 1914 | 1234 | 952 | 716 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:22AM1.43m | 5:39PM1.55m | 5:57AM1.33m | 6:13PM1.43m | 6:32AM1.21m | 6:48PM1.29m | 7:12AM1.10m | 7:29PM1.15m | 8:07AM0.99m | 8:32PM1.04m | 9:49AM0.92m | 10:25PM0.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:22PM0.09m | 11:24AM0.14m | 11:57PM0.19m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:30PM0.38m | 1:08AM0.42m | 1:06PM0.51m | 1:55AM0.54m | 1:57PM0.63m | 3:19AM0.62m | 3:53PM0.70m | |||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
1444 | 1384 | 2082 | 3331 | 2528 | 2026 | 1783 | 1735 | 1975 | 2257 | 1638 | 1427 | 1291 | 1513 | 2283 | 1914 | 1234 | 952 | 716 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | SW 14 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 193 | 224 | 874 | 308 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | — | S 4 | — | — | S 3 | — | — | S 3 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | 30 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 2 | 36 | 400 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
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.











