Surf Forecasts:
Fish Hoek surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, SW swell with 1,736 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period. 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 2.2m 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 0.6m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fish Hoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Fish Hoek over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, the forecast is looking pretty bleak for the first few days. We’ve got a pulse of southwest swell pushing in, but the wind is just a mess. Wednesday the 19th is a write-off with a choppy 6 ft cross-on shore breeze. That carries on through Thursday and Friday, with the swell fluctuating between 4 ft and 7 ft but the wind staying all wrong. It’s one of those stretches where you’d be better off doing something else.
Saturday the 22nd is where things start to turn. The morning still looks poor, but by the afternoon, the wind swings offshore from the northwest with a 5 ft SW swell and a 10-second period. That’s clean and rideable. Not huge, but it’s the first real window.
Sunday the 23rd brings a bit more size – 6 ft SW swell – but the wind is cross-onshore in the morning, so it’s not going to be great. The afternoon is cross-shore with 5 ft, still only marginal. Monday the 24th stays small and average. Then Tuesday the 25th is a write-off again with strong cross-onshore winds and a bumpy 5 ft swell.
Now, here’s the real standout. Wednesday the 26th morning is glassy. No wind at all. That 4 ft SW swell with a 12-second period is going to be clean and smooth. The wave energy is moderate (740), but with those conditions, it’ll be a joy for a beginner-friendly spot like Fish Hoek. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore. That Wednesday is the pick of the first week – small but perfect.
Thursday the 27th is smaller and cleaner, but just not enough push to get excited about. Friday the 28th gets messy again with cross-onshore winds. Then the weekend of the 29th and 30th gets ugly – an 8 ft to 10 ft SW swell but with strong onshore and cross-onshore winds, rain, and lumpy conditions. That’s a big, blown-out mess.
The real gold is waiting at the start of September. On Tuesday the 1st, a solid 6 ft SW swell with a 14-second period and moderate offshore winds. The wave energy is strong (1289). That’s going to be clean, powerful, and well-shaped. Wednesday the 2nd is smaller but still offshore, worth a look. But the real standout of the whole forecast is Thursday the 3rd. A massive 13 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, light offshore wind, and exceptional energy (8384). That is for experts only. This is a groundswell with a very long period, so it will be fast, powerful, and best for those who know what they’re doing. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
Overall, you’ve got a long gap of poor conditions until Saturday the 22nd afternoon, then a small clean window on Wednesday the 26th, and the big one to wait for on Thursday the 3rd of September. Don’t bother paddling out before the 22nd unless you love chop.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1083 | 899 | 761 | 956 | 1684 | 1149 | 769 | 437 | 338 | 259 | 197 | 530 | 1619 | 1185 | 668 | 593 | 461 | 216 | 1077 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:10AM1.10m | 7:27PM1.16m | 8:03AM0.99m | 8:29PM1.04m | 9:44AM0.92m | 10:23PM0.98m | 11:54AM0.96m | 00:06AM1.03m | 12:59PM1.06m | 1:02AM1.13m | 1:37PM1.18m | 1:41AM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:07AM0.42m | 1:04PM0.50m | 1:53AM0.54m | 1:54PM0.62m | 3:16AM0.62m | 3:47PM0.71m | 5:32AM0.62m | 6:06PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.56m | 7:28AM0.41m | 7:45PM0.45m | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
6:16 | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 14 |
1083 | 899 | 761 | 956 | 1684 | 1149 | 769 | 437 | 338 | 259 | 197 | 530 | 1619 | 1185 | 668 | 593 | 461 | 216 | 1077 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 10 | WSW 6 | SW 16 | — | — | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 11 | SSW 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 230 | 222 | 104 | 21 | 11 | — | — | 164 | 37 | 36 | 173 | 78 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | WSW 10 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 41 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 37 | 74 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SE 4 |
11 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 36 | 42 | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 25 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 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.











