Haardebaai Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a real mixed bag coming up for Haardebaai (reef break). The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing too unusual there.

Honestly, the first week is a tough one to watch. The swell hangs around with some serious energy behind it – we’re talking combined energy readings in the thousands (like 2457, 2470, 3525) from the SW and WSW, but the wind is a constant problem. Mostly cross-on or onshore from the ESE and SE, blowin’ at 18 to 28 mph. That’s just going to chop it up and make it messy. Thursday morning the 10th has a 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period, but the onshore wind blows the quality. Through Saturday the 12th, the swell gets to 8ft SW with a 16-second period, but it’s strong cross-onshore and messy. Not worth paddling out. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” for most of these sessions.

There is a glimmer in the middle of the week. Monday the 14th morning, we get a 4ft SW swell with strong offshore NNW wind at 25 mph. The wave comment says “strong offshore and clean but hard to paddle into.” That offshore wind is a huge positive for clean faces, but it’s going to be a battle to get out. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 10ft from the NW with a short period of 8 seconds – that’s a lot of power, but it’s not going to be well-shaped. This is really only for advanced surfers, and even then, the wind will make it difficult.

Tuesday the 15th morning offers a 3ft SW swell with a very long 20-second period, and offshore NW wind. The energy is still high (1205), but that long period on a reef break is a good match. The wave comment says “marginal surf forecast.” The big issue is the wind hits near gale force (31 mph) by the afternoon, making it almost impossible to paddle into.

The standout moment, if you can call it that, is probably Monday the 14th afternoon. It’s a 10ft NW swell with a short 8-second period and strong offshore wind. The energy is high (1307). It’s going to be a wild, expert-only session. The wind is clean, but it’s a battle.

The second week looks a bit grim. Wednesday the 16th has a massive 12ft SW swell (energy 4981) but with onshore wind, making it a total washout. Through the rest of the week, the swell stays around 7ft to 8ft from the SW, but the wind is mostly onshore or cross-on from the east. Friday the 18th afternoon has a light cross-on breeze, but the wave comment is still “marginal.” Saturday the 19th holds 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is cross-on, keeping it choppy.

By the 22nd and 23rd of September, the swell drops right off – under 3ft with weak energy (under 300). The winds are still strong from the east, blowing it out. The 24th of September afternoon has a 5ft SW swell with a 15-second period and offshore NW wind at 15 mph. The wave comment says “moderate offshore and clean.” That’s a decent setup for a clean, if not huge, day. The 25th of September morning has a 5ft SW swell with a gentle cross-on wind, but the wave comment says “poor surf conditions.”

The best bet for a clean, decent session is the 24th of September afternoon. It’s a bit of a wait, but the offshore wind and 5ft SW swell with a 15-second period should line up nicely for a reef break. The energy is moderate (987), so it won’t be pumping, but it’ll be rideable and clean. Just keep an eye on the crowds at Haardebaai – it says “sometimes” crowded, so you might have some company.

Rusty.

Read more