Fish Hoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s look at what’s coming for Fish Hoek for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a good run of surf starting from Friday, July 17th. The water temp is 58°, which is about 2° cooler than what’s normal for this time of year – a bit chilly, but not crazy.

The first few days are about easing into it. Friday morning, the 17th, there’s a glassy 4ft swell from the SW, with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (417), and the wind is dead calm – it’s going to be smooth as glass. A good start.

Saturday, the 18th, the swell drops to 3ft to 3ft, but the wind swings NW – light offshore and cross-off – keeping it clean. Sunday morning, the 19th, is similar with 4ft of SW swell, a longer period of 12 seconds, and clean conditions. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-shore wind, so get out early.

Monday, the 20th, offers more clean surf in the morning with 4ft SW swell, but the real standout is Tuesday, the 21st. The afternoon session is the pick of the week: 6ft SW swell with a long 14-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1158 (strong). The wind is light cross-off, giving you clean, powerful lines. That’s a session to mark.

Wednesday, the 22nd, picks up a bit more size – 6ft to 7ft – but the wind is a moderate breeze from the NW, so it’s a bit bumpy. The energy is still strong (1072-1364), but not as clean as Tuesday.

Now, the big one. Thursday, the 23rd, is a proper event. The morning is already excellent for experienced surfers with 7ft SW swell, but the afternoon is the real standout: 10ft SW swell, an 18-second period, and a combined energy of 5821. The wind is offshore from the WNW, so it’s going to be clean and powerful. This is big, long-period groundswell, and those 18-second intervals will see it feathering perfectly at the point. Not for beginners – this is expert territory only. The crowd factor is likely at Fish Hoek, so be ready for company.

Friday, the 24th, holds size at 8ft to 10ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore from the SSE, putting a bit of chop on the surface. Still rideable for the skilled, but it’s lost the polish of Thursday.

Saturday, the 25th, is a total washout. A near gale from the SE smashes the surface, and the swell is junk. Don’t bother.

Sunday, the 26th, bounces back beautifully. The wind goes glassy from the E, and the swell is 7ft to 7ft with a 17-second period. The combined energy is strong (2844-2968). This is another excellent session for the experienced crew – clean, powerful, and waiting for you.

The week after that has some decent options. Monday, the 27th, offers 6ft SSW swell with a light cross-off wind in the afternoon, giving you clean waves. Tuesday, the 28th, is smaller at 4ft but still clean in the morning. The rest of that week tails off into smaller, onshore wind junk until Thursday, the 30th, where a 10ft WSW swell appears in the afternoon, but the wind is just moderate.

The last real standout is Friday, the 31st of July. The morning has 10ft WSW swell with a 13-second period, clean cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 2587. The afternoon holds 8ft with the same clean wind. That’s a solid way to end the month.

Saturday, the 1st of August, is still surfable with 6ft to 7ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate breeze, so it’s a bit bumped out.

Best on offer: Thursday the 23rd of July afternoon (10ft SW, 18s, offshore, clean, expert only) and Sunday the 26th of July (7-7ft, 17s, glassy, clean). Tuesday the 21st afternoon is a close third for the smaller, cleaner crew.

Rusty.

Read more