Surf Forecasts:
Fish Hoek surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,789 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period with WSW 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fish Hoek in the next 16 days are 2.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fish Hoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what’s coming down the line for Fish Hoek.
Gotta be honest, the next week or so is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some solid swell pulses on the cards, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor. For the most part, a stubborn SSE breeze is going to put a cross-onshore chop on things, making it hard work. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing too wild there. The first real standout is a window around Saturday the 22nd and then again the following Wednesday, the 26th of August.
Let’s start with this coming Monday, the 17th. There’s some background swell from the WSW at 6ft, 13 seconds (1042 combined energy), but the morning is a write-off. By the afternoon though, we’ve got a clean offshore wind from the west at 9 mph and the same swell. That gives us clean, workable waves. Not the biggest, but clean.
Tuesday and Wednesday the 18th and 19th are a no-go. The SSE wind picks up and choppy conditions ruin any chance of quality. That trend of cross-onshore rubbish continues right through until Friday the 21st. We’re looking at a gap of a few days where the surf really isn’t worth paddling out for.
Now, the first true standout is Saturday the 22nd of August. The morning session is *chef’s kiss* – glassy conditions with WSW wind at 3 mph. The swell is a clean 5ft from the SW with a 12-second period (542 combined energy). It’s a touch on the smaller side, but it’ll be absolutely perfect lines. Then in the afternoon, it gets even better. The swell pulses to 7ft from the SW (11 seconds, 1422 combined energy), and a 6 mph cross-offshore wind from the SW cleans it right up. This is the pick of the first week – excellent conditions for a surfer with a bit of experience. The moderate wave energy (1422) means there’s some real push behind those waves. Keep in mind, Fish Hoek can get a crowd, so get in early.
The SSE winds return on Sunday the 23rd, chopping up a 6ft SSW swell. Then Monday and Tuesday the 24th and 25th are just more of the same – onshore wind and poor surf.
Then we get to the second real highlight. Wednesday the 26th of August. Morning sees a 6ft swell from the SW with a solid 16-second period (1443 combined energy). That’s some proper groundswell. And the wind is a clean offshore from the WNW at 6 mph. This is for the experienced crew – that long period (over 15 seconds) means it will wrap in nicely at Fish Hoek. The afternoon goes glassy again, with a 5ft SW swell (14 seconds) and 3 mph WSW wind, delivering very good conditions again.
After that, we have a bit more promise. Friday the 28th of August looks fun with a cross-offshore wind and a 5ft SW swell (13 seconds, 686 combined energy). Then Saturday the 29th sees a bigger 8ft swell from the SSW, but it’s got a shorter 10-second period and a strong 16 mph cross-offshore wind. That’s a powerful, lumpy one for the experts only. After that, it’s back to onshore slop for the end of the month.
So, to sum it up: the real magic is Saturday the 22nd, with glassy conditions and a fun 5-7ft swell, and Wednesday the 26th, with a clean, long-period groundswell. Get on them.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1583 | 1042 | 950 | 510 | 874 | 1352 | 1169 | 899 | 748 | 860 | 1697 | 1327 | 747 | 437 | 450 | 297 | 542 | 1004 | 1319 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:56AM1.33m | 6:12PM1.43m | 6:31AM1.21m | 6:47PM1.29m | 7:10AM1.10m | 7:27PM1.16m | 8:03AM0.99m | 8:29PM1.04m | 9:44AM0.92m | 10:23PM0.98m | 11:54AM0.96m | 00:06AM1.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:56PM0.19m | 11:56AM0.25m | 00:31AM0.30m | 12:29PM0.38m | 1:07AM0.42m | 1:04PM0.50m | 1:53AM0.54m | 1:54PM0.62m | 3:16AM0.62m | 3:47PM0.71m | 5:32AM0.62m | 6:06PM0.66m | |||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 |
1583 | 1042 | 950 | 510 | 874 | 1352 | 1169 | 899 | 748 | 860 | 1697 | 1327 | 747 | 437 | 450 | 297 | 542 | 1004 | 1319 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | — | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | — | SW 14 | SSW 12 |
— | — | 66 | 295 | 613 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 98 | — | 323 | 297 | 186 | — | 418 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 16 | — | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 50 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | — | N 2 | — | — |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 35 | 10 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 401 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 401 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 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.











