
Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,803 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) 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 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
We're looking at a solid run of energy coming through for Eerste Steen, but it's a tale of two different swells. The first big pulse kicks off this Saturday morning, August 8th, with a strong 8ft SW groundswell (13-second period). The water is sitting at 55°, which is a solid 4° below normal for this time of year, so expect a bit of a chill in the water. The morning is the call with a light N cross-off breeze keeping things clean. The wave energy is pumping hard at 2221 (moderate to strong). This is a big, powerful swell, and with the period over 11 seconds, it's a proper groundswell. At 8ft, it's getting into expert territory, so this isn't a beginner session. The afternoon looks even bigger, with 12ft swell, but the wind swings onshore and the model flags it as too big for the break, so keep it to the morning window.
Sunday the 9th is a write-off. The wind howls from the SSE at 25 mph, creating a messy cross-chop, making the big 12ft swell completely unrideable. A total loss.
We get a bit of a lull through Monday and Tuesday, with the swell dropping to 6ft-8ft, but the wind remains a problem, mostly fresh cross-shore breezes. The surf is marginal at best.
The real standout for the first week is Wednesday, August 12th afternoon. The swell settles to a clean 6ft from the SW, but the period jumps to a massive 18 seconds. That's a very long period groundswell. The wind goes glassy offshore from the East at 12 mph, meaning perfect, clean, lined-up waves. The energy is still strong at 2075. This is going to be a rippable, quality wave, likely best on a point or reef setup. This is the session to aim for. The morning of Wednesday the 12th is also good, but the afternoon has that perfect offshore wind.
Thursday morning, August 13th, is also solid. A 8ft WSW swell with a 18-second period and offshore ENE wind at 9 mph. The energy is very strong at 3663, but it's a big swell for Eerste Steen. The wind is perfect, but the size might limit it to the more experienced crew. The afternoon on Thursday the wind goes cross-on, so it's a morning-only window.
The following weekend, August 15th-16th, is a bit of a mess with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. Not worth the paddle out.
Then we get another promising window. Monday morning, August 17th, looks fantastic. A 7ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and a clean offshore breeze from the East at 6 mph. The energy is moderate at 1356, and the conditions are described as excellent. This is a great, clean, mid-sized option.
The last real standout is Wednesday afternoon, August 19th. The swell is 8ft from the WSW, but the wind goes completely glassy. That's a rare treat. The energy is moderate at 1516. Glassy conditions on a 8ft swell will mean some of the cleanest, most user-friendly waves of the whole forecast. Expect some crowds if you can get out there.
After that, the wind turns onshore and the swell fades into the 20th and 21st, with messy, choppy conditions. The final weekend, the 22nd and 23rd of August, shows a return of a big swell (12ft) on the 23rd, but the guidance flags it as too big for the break again. The 22nd, however, has a clean 6ft SW swell with an offshore breeze, which is a solid way to finish the period.
So, to sum it up: the absolute best windows are Wednesday afternoon, August 12th for the long-period perfection, and Wednesday afternoon, August 19th for the glassy conditions. The mornings of the 13th and 17th are also strong. The first big swell on Saturday morning is for experts only. Expect a lot of energy in the water, and the water is notably cold for this time of year.
Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WSW 22 | WSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2221 | 4499 | 3903 | 3111 | 3077 | 1776 | 1244 | 668 | 2088 | 1159 | 730 | 1541 | 1899 | 1974 | 2201 | 3663 | 2599 | 1608 | 1204 | 1083 | 673 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:32AM1.10m | 11:55PM1.25m | 12:48PM1.23m | 1:05AM1.35m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:00AM1.45m | 2:32PM1.51m | 2:47AM1.53m | 3:13PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.57m | 3:52PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:29PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:37PM0.51m | 6:32AM0.33m | 6:57PM0.39m | 7:32AM0.21m | 7:55PM0.25m | 8:19AM0.10m | 8:44PM0.13m | 9:01AM0.02m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:07PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:45PM0.03m | ||||||||
7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | — | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WSW 22 | WSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
2221 | 4499 | 3903 | 2256 | — | 1776 | 1244 | 538 | 2088 | 1159 | 730 | 1541 | 1899 | 1974 | 2201 | 3663 | 2599 | 1608 | 1204 | 1083 | 673 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 24 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 21 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 249 | 66 | 42 | 232 | 332 | 187 | 82 | 1325 | — | — | — | — | — | 561 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 26 | WSW 10 | SSW 11 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 38 | 207 | 69 | 19 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 12 | SSW 12 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | — |
— | — | — | 3111 | 3077 | — | — | 668 | — | — | 202 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 16 | 41 | 456 | 1458 | 2 | 2 | 401 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 6 | 37 | 4 |
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.











