Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 3,567 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 8AM (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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. It’s been a bit of a wait, but we’ve finally got some swell lining up at Eerste Steen. The first real surfable waves don’t show until Monday the 31st of August, but the conditions are rough – a 7ft SW swell with a 15 km/h cross-on wind from the south has got things messy. Water temps are sitting at 55°F, which is a whopping 5°F colder than usual for this time of year, so a thick steamer is a must. The combined energy is a solid 1019 (moderate), but it’s just not clean. Monday afternoon is more of the same – 6ft SW, still cross-on, and the score is zero.
Tuesday the 1st of September sees the swell jump to 8ft SW, with a 13-second period (nice long groundswell), but the wind is still cross-on in the morning, and by afternoon it’s a full onshore 20 km/h from the SW. That’s 10ft of messy, blown-out swell – not worth paddling out. The energy is through the roof (2429-3208), but it’s all for nothing.
Wednesday the 2nd holds 10ft SW swell with that same 13-second period, but again, cross-on winds. The morning is a little lighter, but still not clean. The energy is massive (3169-2682), but the quality just isn’t there.
Now, Thursday the 3rd of September morning is a big one – 12ft of SW swell, a 11-second period, and a 25 km/h cross-shore wind from the south. The combined energy hits 5314 (very strong), but the forecast says it’s too big for this break. This is expert-only territory, and even then, with the wind, it’s going to be a battle. The afternoon is a no-go with 50 km/h winds.
Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are smaller (8ft down to 6ft) and come from the S and SSE, with shorter periods (10 to 7 seconds). The wind is cross-offshore from the SE, which is a huge plus for clean conditions. Saturday morning actually gets a “expect very good surf conditions” note with a 6ft SSE swell and light 15 km/h cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (681), but the waves are clean. That’s a solid window for an intermediate surfer.
The standout, though, is Sunday the 6th of September. The morning shows a 4ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period (very long period) and a cross-offshore wind from the ESE at 20 km/h. The energy is 1154 (strong), and the conditions are clean. This is a classic setup for a point break or reef – the long period will make for lined-up, powerful waves, but it might be a bit fat for a beach break. The afternoon picks up to 7ft SSE at 9 seconds, still clean. This is the best on offer – a proper, clean, long-period swell.
Monday the 7th of September is another good call with a 4ft S swell, 12-second period, and an offshore wind from the east at 15 km/h. The energy is moderate (445), but that offshore wind is a dream. The water is still cold, but the waves are clean and glassy.
After that, the second week drops off fast. From Tuesday the 8th through to the 15th, the swell goes tiny (1ft to 5ft) with poor winds and junk conditions. There’s a small bump on the 11th and 12th with 5ft to 7ft WSW swell, but the wind is onshore or cross-shore, keeping it messy. The 15th has a 6ft SW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is a fresh 35 km/h cross-shore – a total write-off.
So, the real highlight is the Sunday the 6th of September morning session. If you can get out, the 4ft long-period SW groundswell with clean conditions is the best we’re going to see. The Thursday the 3rd is just too big and gnarly. Keep an eye on the Saturday morning too, but for pure quality, Sunday is the one.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly near gales. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1019 | 875 | 1237 | 2429 | 3208 | 3466 | 3169 | 2682 | 1700 | 2912 | 2648 | 1345 | 1129 | 836 | 318 | 372 | 278 | 663 | 757 | 577 | 253 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:03PM1.59m | 5:23AM1.41m | 5:38PM1.52m | 6:02AM1.31m | 6:19PM1.41m | 6:49AM1.20m | 7:11PM1.27m | 7:57AM1.08m | 8:31PM1.15m | 9:47AM1.03m | 10:28PM1.12m | 11:37AM1.12m | 00:03AM1.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:22AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.19m | 11:59AM0.28m | 00:39AM0.29m | 12:46PM0.40m | 1:38AM0.41m | 1:56PM0.53m | 3:14AM0.50m | 3:58PM0.59m | 5:14AM0.47m | 5:54PM0.50m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 10 | SSE 7 | SSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 |
1019 | 875 | 1237 | 2429 | 3208 | 3466 | 3169 | 2682 | 1700 | 2912 | 539 | 392 | 148 | 105 | 108 | 164 | 107 | 663 | 757 | 283 | 197 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 14 | WSW 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 77 | 65 | 36 | 147 | 476 | 253 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 21 | WSW 10 | — | SSW 17 | SSW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 68 | 42 | 36 | — | 113 | 133 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2402 | 2648 | 1345 | 1129 | 836 | 318 | 372 | 278 | 412 | 250 | 577 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 36 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 162 | 3870 | 1072 | 1274 | 1975 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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.











