
Surf Forecasts:
Fish Hoek surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 22 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,211 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 22 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fish Hoek this week:
The surf forecast for Fish Hoek over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fish Hoek in the next 16 days are 1.9m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 22nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 22nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fish Hoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Fish Hoek’s got cooking.
First thing you need to know: this stretch is on a bit of a downer right now. The water’s sitting at 58°, which is a touch colder than usual for this time of year – feels like winter’s not quite let go.
Right up front, there’s nothing worth paddling out for across the next several days. The first week is a write-off. From Wednesday the 16th through Monday the 21st, we’ve got strong cross-onshore winds and messy, lumpy conditions. Swell’s hanging around 3 ft to 6 ft, but the wind’s just ruining it. Not worth your time.
Tuesday the 22nd is a bit of a tease. The morning goes glassy – dead calm – with 2 ft of swell, period around 13 seconds. The wave energy is weak (255), and you’d be scratching for something rideable, but at least it’s clean. The afternoon sees a light breeze creep in and the swell drops, so it’s not going to get any better.
Now, Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th are where things get interesting. On the 23rd, the swell jumps to 6 ft in the morning, but again the wind’s on it and it’s choppy. The afternoon pushes up to 7 ft, but still onshore and messy. Don’t get excited yet.
Here’s the standout. Thursday the 24th – mark it. Morning comes in with 8 ft of swell from the SSW, period a very long 15 seconds. That’s groundswell, proper energy (2585). Wind is light cross-off, makes for clean conditions. Afternoon is even better: 8 ft, 14-second period, light offshore from the NW. Clean as a whistle. This is for experienced surfers only – it’s solid, powerful, and those long-period waves will stand up nicely but might close out a bit on a beach break. For the point and reef crew, this is the call. Crowds are likely at this spot, so get in early.
Friday the 25th holds similar size: 8 ft in the morning, light offshore from the NW, 15-second period – still excellent for the experienced. The afternoon drops to 8 ft with a cross-off wind; still clean, but losing some juice.
After that, it fades. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th see the swell back to 6 ft to 6 ft, but the wind swings cross-onshore and it gets choppy again. The rest of the run into October is small and unexciting – 2 ft to 4 ft, mostly poor surf.
To be honest, the only true gold here is Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th. If you’re an experienced surfer and you can get on it, that’s your window. Everything else is either blown out or too small. The forecast’s reliable for the near-term – those mid-week days look solid.
Stay tuned, things can change. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
449 | 746 | 777 | 555 | 442 | 369 | 350 | 418 | 380 | 236 | 393 | 790 | 569 | 424 | 301 | 240 | 197 | 150 | 172 | 180 | 132 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:59PM1.27m | 6:22AM1.13m | 6:34PM1.13m | 7:06AM1.01m | 7:26PM1.01m | 8:42AM0.91m | 9:33PM0.93m | 11:21AM0.95m | 11:39PM0.99m | 12:27PM1.07m | 00:35AM1.10m | 1:03PM1.21m | 1:12AM1.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:47AM0.38m | 00:14AM0.41m | 12:18PM0.50m | 00:52AM0.53m | 1:00PM0.63m | 1:59AM0.64m | 2:49PM0.73m | 4:46AM0.66m | 5:46PM0.68m | 6:12AM0.56m | 6:42PM0.56m | 6:52AM0.44m | 7:17PM0.43m | ||||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 10 |
449 | 746 | 777 | 555 | 442 | 369 | 350 | 418 | 380 | 236 | 393 | 790 | 569 | 424 | 301 | 240 | 197 | 150 | 172 | 180 | 132 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | — | — | — | W 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SE 6 | WSW 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
392 | 102 | 277 | — | — | — | 7 | 12 | 41 | 103 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 27 | 66 | 9 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SE 7 | S 14 | — |
226 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 78 | 17 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 5 |
232 | 194 | 286 | 187 | 246 | 161 | 151 | 290 | 161 | 143 | 263 | 178 | 178 | 196 | 129 | 60 | 96 | 75 | — | 4 | 26 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 339 | 201 | 39 | 401 | 1424 | 32 | 25 | 1995 | 35 | 44 | 201 | 227 | 38 | 401 | 25 | 8 | 28 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fish Hoek Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fish Hoek provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fish Hoek can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fish Hoek 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 (Fish Hoek) 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 Fish Hoek 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Cape Town? If you are looking for accommodation near Fish Hoek, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cape Town, consider staying in Cape Town which is 22 km (14 miles) away. Other places in and around Cape Town where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bellville which is 31 km (19 miles) away, Robben Island, Stellenbosch and Kayamnandi.










