Surf Forecasts:
Fish Hoek surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,290 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. 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 1.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 12s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fish Hoek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
The water at Fish Hoek is running about 58°, which is a bit cooler than usual for this time of year – nothing extreme, but you’ll notice it.
The first week is mostly a bust. Thursday afternoon and all of Friday are poor – cross-onshore wind, choppy, messy. Saturday the 22nd finally gives us something: clean conditions in the morning with a light cross-off breeze from the NNW and 4ft swell from the SW, 11-second period. Saturday afternoon gets even better with a light offshore wind from the W and 4ft swell. That’s your first real window. The energy is moderate (446 and 414 units). Sunday and Monday are back to poor, so don’t get too excited.
Tuesday the 25th? Still poor. The energy is strong (over 1000) but the wind is onshore and choppy. Not worth it.
Then Wednesday the 26th is a solid turnaround. Wednesday morning: light offshore wind from the WNW, 4ft SW swell, 12-second period, clean. Energy is moderate (601 units). Wednesday afternoon is glassy with a slight air, 3ft SW swell, 12 seconds. Thursday the 27th is a gem – morning has light offshore from the W, 2ft, and by Thursday afternoon it’s glassy with a 2ft, 15-second period SW groundswell, energy moderate (319 units). That glassy afternoon is the best of the first week – clean, long-period lines, but small. Perfect for a longboard.
Friday the 28th morning is marginal with a 5ft, 16-second swell and cross-shore wind, but the energy is strong (1144 units). That afternoon the wind picks up and chops it out. Saturday the 29th through Sunday the 30th is blown out by fresh onshore winds. Monday the 31st afternoon is ordinary but surfable with a light cross-off.
Now for the standout – circle this date. Wednesday the 2nd of September: morning has 8ft SW swell, 12 seconds, clean cross-off wind from the NNW. Energy is huge (1765 units). That’s expert territory. Wednesday afternoon gets even bigger: 12ft SW swell, 14 seconds, offshore wind from the NW, energy at a massive 5549 units. That’s serious, powerful groundswell – only for experienced surfers. Thursday the 3rd is still excellent for experts: 7ft WSW groundswell in the morning, 7ft in the afternoon, both clean and cross-off. Friday the 4th winds down with 6ft and 6ft SW swell, still clean and very good.
So the best on offer is Wednesday the 2nd of September afternoon – that’s the session to aim for if you’ve got the skills. The 26th-27th of August is your best bet for smaller, cleaner fun waves before that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Mon night, calm by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1225 | 822 | 437 | 190 | 172 | 297 | 403 | 650 | 596 | 772 | 614 | 461 | 176 | 949 | 1107 | 837 | 545 | 430 | 292 | 174 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 2:08PM1.31m | 2:13AM1.33m | 2:37PM1.42m | 2:44AM1.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:16AM0.62m | 3:47PM0.71m | 5:32AM0.62m | 6:06PM0.66m | 6:46AM0.52m | 7:07PM0.56m | 7:28AM0.41m | 7:45PM0.45m | 7:59AM0.31m | 8:17PM0.34m | 8:28AM0.21m | 8:47PM0.25m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 19 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 |
1225 | 822 | 437 | 190 | 167 | 297 | 403 | 650 | 596 | 772 | 614 | 461 | 176 | 949 | 1107 | 837 | 545 | 430 | 292 | 174 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 10 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 17 | WSW 14 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | SW 10 | SW 10 | — | — | SSW 11 | SE 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 |
— | — | — | 138 | 172 | 149 | 11 | 138 | 190 | — | — | — | 106 | 96 | — | — | 38 | 44 | 73 | 102 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SSW 14 |
— | — | — | — | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 133 | — | — | — | 34 | 16 | 25 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 3 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | — | NNW 2 | — | — | SE 3 | S 4 | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | — | — |
— | 1 | 31 | 32 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 8 | — | — | 16 | 53 | 107 | 165 | 122 | 111 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 70 | 25 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











