
Surf Forecasts:
Eerste Steen surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 20s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, WSW swell with 2,998 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 20s 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 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. 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 2.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 20s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 20s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eerste Steen over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next two weeks of surf for Eerste Steen. Let’s break it down, no fluff.
We’ve got a solid run of southwest swell coming in, with some real standout moments if you pick your windows right. The water temp is not mentioned as anything wild, so call it about average for this time of year around here.
The pattern kicks off on Wednesday, 12 August with a clean morning. That swell is a solid 6 ft from the SW with an 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell, long lines and plenty of energy. The combined wave energy is a beefy 2215 (moderate-to-strong), and with a light offshore breeze from the east, it’s going to be clean. This is a setup that wants a reef or point, but Eerste Steen handles it. The afternoon turns a little cross-off, still surfable but not as pristine.
Thursday, 13 August is another top pick. Morning brings 7 ft from the WSW with a 17-second period, energy sitting at 2998 (strong). Wind is a light offshore from the NNE, so it’s clean. That’s expert territory at that size – 7 ft is pushing it for anyone not comfortable in bigger surf. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on, so stick to the morning.
Friday, 14 August drops back a touch to 6 ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and then cross-on, so the quality takes a hit. Not a standout.
Saturday, 15 August morning is a hidden gem. Swell is 6 ft from the WSW, 14-second period, but the wind is glassy – zero wind. That’s rare. Combined energy is 1193 (moderate), and it’ll be smooth as silk. Afternoon gets a cross-on breeze, so get it early.
Sunday, 16 August is marginal with cross-on wind and dropping energy. Not worth chasing.
Now, Monday, 17 August – this is the big one. Morning sees 8 ft from the WSW, 13-second period, and glassy conditions with a light NE breeze. Combined energy is 2313 (strong). That’s a heavy day, only for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a cross-on wind, so again, morning is the window.
From Tuesday the 18th through to the 27th, it’s a slow fade. The swell drops, the wind turns messy, and there are long gaps of marginal or poor conditions. By the 26th, you’re looking at 2 ft swells with almost no energy (109). There’s a brief uptick on the 27th morning with 5 ft from the SW and a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s not a standout.
The best on offer: Definitely Thursday morning, 13 August and Monday morning, 17 August. Both are clean, strong, and have proper groundswell. The 13th is a bit more accessible for strong intermediates, the 17th is for the hardcore crew. Saturday morning, 15 August is the wildcard with glassy conditions and a solid 6 ft – that’s a beautiful session if you can get there.
Crowds at Eerste Steen can be a thing sometimes, so keep an eye out, especially on those clean mornings.
Stay stoked, catch the good ones.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1922 | 1952 | 1809 | 2998 | 2262 | 1684 | 1413 | 1340 | 1179 | 1161 | 1144 | 1161 | 1224 | 1358 | 2313 | 2313 | 2019 | 1619 | 1114 | 904 | 624 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:13PM1.62m | 3:29AM1.57m | 3:52PM1.68m | 4:09AM1.56m | 4:29PM1.69m | 4:46AM1.51m | 5:05PM1.64m | 5:22AM1.43m | 5:39PM1.55m | 5:57AM1.33m | 6:13PM1.43m | 6:32AM1.21m | 6:48PM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:01AM0.02m | 9:27PM0.05m | 9:40AM-0.01m | 10:07PM0.02m | 10:16AM-0.00m | 10:45PM0.03m | 10:51AM0.05m | 11:22PM0.09m | 11:24AM0.14m | 11:57PM0.19m | 11:57AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:30PM0.38m | 1:08AM0.42m | |||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 27 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 |
1922 | 1952 | 1809 | 2998 | 2262 | 1684 | 1413 | 1340 | 1179 | 1161 | 1144 | 1161 | 1224 | 1358 | 2313 | 2313 | 2019 | 1619 | 1114 | 904 | 624 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 21 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
177 | 106 | 898 | 15 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | SW 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
106 | 64 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 3 | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | S 3 |
— | — | 10 | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 37 | 31 |
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.











