Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,765 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here with the outlook for Eerste Steen. Over this 16-day stretch, we’ve got a real mixed bag coming at us, with a couple of solid standouts but plenty of average-to-poor days in between.
We kick off on Friday, 21st August, with a decent pulse of swell. Morning looks prime: 7ft SW swell at 11 seconds, combined energy of 1092 (moderate), with a light SE breeze holding cross-offshore. That means clean lines and good shape on offer. Score a session in the morning if you can. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the SW and the conditions get a bit iffy with the same swell size.
Saturday and Sunday, 22nd and 23rd, are more forgettable. The swell drops to around 4-5ft and the wind is mostly cross or onshore, so you’ll be fighting a bit of chop and weaker energy (542 to 657 combined energy – low). Sunday does see a jump in swell to 8ft from the WSW with a 13-second period, and combined energy hits 2028 (strong), but the cross wind keeps the surfaces messy. Not a standout.
Monday, 24th, is a write-off for quality surfing. The swell backs off to 5-6ft and the cross-chop from moderate winds makes it a battle.
Now, here’s your first true standout: Tuesday, 25th August. Morning brings 8ft SW swell at a long 14 seconds, combined energy of 2160 (strong), and a cross-offshore SE breeze. The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the session to circle – bigger swell, clean conditions, and plenty of push. The afternoon gets messy again as winds freshen, so get it early.
Wednesday, 26th, cleans up again in the morning with 5ft WSW swell at 13 seconds, light ESE cross-offshore winds, and 905 combined energy (moderate). Expect very good, clean surf, though smaller than Tuesday.
Thursday, 27th, goes flat and weak, with only 3-3ft and onshore winds. Not worth your time.
Friday, 28th, shapes up nicely. Both morning and afternoon deliver 5-6ft WSW swell at a long 14 seconds, with a clean cross-offshore N breeze. Combined energy sits around 1164-1288 (moderate). Expect very good conditions again. Another session to get excited about.
Saturday, 29th, takes a turn. Morning sees light rain and cross-onshore winds chopping up 6ft swell. Poor conditions. The afternoon swell builds to 8ft WSW at 13 seconds with 2111 combined energy (strong), but the wind is cross-onshore and light, leaving small wind ripples. Marginal at best.
Sunday, 30th, is rough. 8ft SW swell at 10 seconds – short period, punchy – combined energy of 1326 (moderate), but the wind is cross-onshore and building to a moderate breeze. Surf is poor and choppy. This one’s looking better for the kite crew than paddlers.
Monday, 31st, morning offers a reprieve: 4ft WSW swell at 11 seconds, light ESE cross-offshore winds, 480 combined energy (weak). Expect decent, clean little waves for the log or a fun board. Afternoon gets messy.
Tuesday, 1st September, morning is clean again with 4ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, east wind cross-off, 580 combined energy (weak). Good, small surf.
Wednesday, 2nd, goes back to onshore winds and rain, making 6ft SW swell a washout.
Now, for the second week, we see a big change. Thursday, 3rd September, the swell absolutely pumps to 16ft from the WSW with a 14-second period – combined energy of 9095 (very strong). The wind is light and cross, but that size is way too much for this break. Only for experts, and even then, it’s a survival mission. The same holds for Friday, 4th September, with 16ft to 15ft SW swells, though a morning cross-offshore east breeze would make it clean for those mad enough. Score of 11 internally means it’s technically favourable for wind and tide, but the size is the limit.
Saturday, 5th September, we see the swell drop back to 8ft SSW at 12 seconds with a cross NNW breeze and 1905 combined energy (strong). Marginal conditions with some cross-chop.
The overall pattern here: the first week has a couple of clear standouts – Tuesday 25th and Friday 28th August mornings. After that, the second week is dominated by one massive, expert-only swell event on the 3rd and 4th of September, then fading into mediocrity. For most of us, aim for those two standout mornings in the first week.
This is Rusty, signing off. Catch you in the water.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1513 | 1092 | 918 | 388 | 443 | 515 | 1111 | 1748 | 1667 | 1299 | 978 | 447 | 1025 | 2080 | 1697 | 972 | 659 | 525 | 650 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:32PM1.04m | 9:49AM0.92m | 10:25PM0.98m | 11:54AM0.96m | 00:06AM1.04m | 12:58PM1.07m | 1:01AM1.13m | 1:36PM1.19m | 1:40AM1.24m | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | 2:36PM1.42m | 2:44AM1.41m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:19AM0.62m | 3:53PM0.70m | 5:32AM0.61m | 6:08PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.56m | 7:27AM0.41m | 7:45PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.30m | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:27AM0.21m | 8:46PM0.24m | |||||||
— | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
6:19 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 |
1513 | 1092 | 918 | 388 | 443 | 515 | 1111 | 1748 | 1667 | 1299 | 978 | 447 | 1025 | 2080 | 1697 | 972 | 659 | 525 | 650 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 17 | WSW 14 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | SW 10 | SW 10 | — | — | S 7 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 |
— | — | — | 317 | 214 | 27 | 465 | 280 | — | — | — | 253 | 265 | — | — | 135 | 170 | 281 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | WSW 11 | — | — | SSW 13 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SW 20 |
— | — | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 171 | 202 | — | — | 67 | 76 | 41 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | — | — |
— | — | 485 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 63 | 121 | 80 | 200 | 230 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 31 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
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.











