Fish Hoek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get stuck in. This is Rusty.

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the Cape. For the next 16 days, it’s a mixed bag but there are definitely some windows of clean fun. The water’s sitting at 57° right now, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick rubber regardless.

First up, the standout window kicks off this Thursday (13 August) morning. We’ve got a decent 5ft SW swell rolling in with a solid 17-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, with combined energy hitting 1685 – that’s moderate to strong. The wind is cross from the NNE at 9 mph, so it’s not perfect but it’s surfable. By the afternoon, it cleans right up with a light 6 mph NW cross-off breeze and the swell drops slightly to 5ft. The period stays at 16 seconds, still packing a punch. That afternoon session on Thursday is the first real highlight.

Friday morning (14 August) sees the swell drop to 4ft with a 15-second period and a moderate NNW breeze at 12 mph – it’s clean but the energy is fading and the score is lower.

Saturday morning (15 August) is where it gets magic. Glassy conditions with a 3 mph SSW wind, 4ft swell from the WSW and a 14-second period. Combined energy is 454 – not huge, but the clean, glassy surface will make every wave feel better. That’s a proper dawny session.

Sunday afternoon (16 August) is another good call: offshore NW wind at 9 mph, 4ft WSW swell with a 15-second period. Energy bumps up to 752. That’s clean and punchy for the size.

Monday morning (17 August) sees the swell push back up to 6ft from the WSW, 13-second period, with a light 3 mph NNW cross-off breeze. Combined energy is 1002 – moderate wave energy pushing into the fun zone. This is a solid morning, but the size is getting up there for beginners.

Tuesday (18 August) is a beauty. Both morning and afternoon are clean, with offshore or cross-off winds under 6 mph, consistent 5ft SW swell and a 12-second period. Energy is around 900-970. This is consistent, clean, and well-shaped. That afternoon session with the 6 mph W offshore wind is the pick of the two.

Now, from Wednesday 19 August through the weekend of 23 August, the onshore wind kicks in hard from the SSE and SE, gusting 15-22 mph. The swell hangs around 4ft to 4ft but it’s choppy, lumpy, and messy. This stretch is a write-off for a decent paddle. Might be more interesting for the kite crew.

We get a brief reprieve on Friday 21 August – glassy conditions with a 3 mph N wind in the morning, 4ft SW swell, 12-second period, and then glassy again in the afternoon. That’s two small but clean windows.

Saturday 22 August starts with a 6ft SW swell and a 14-second period, but the S wind at 6-9 mph is cross-on and chops it up. The energy is high at 1711, but it’s not clean.

Then from the 23rd to the 26th, it’s back to onshore slop from the SSE and SE, with a mix of small swell and poor conditions. Not worth paddling out.

The very end of the outlook has a pulse: on 27 and 28 August, the swell jumps to 7-8ft from the SW with 14-15 second periods. Combined energy is over 2000 – that’s strong wave energy. But the wind is cross-on from the SSE or S at 9-12 mph, so it’s not going to be clean. That’s expert territory size, but only if you don’t mind the chop. For the average punter, those days are best watched from the beach.

The absolute best on offer is Tuesday 18 August afternoon at Fish Hoek. Clean 5ft SW swell, offshore W wind at 6 mph, and a consistent, well-shaped line-up. That’s the one to aim for.

Rusty.

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