Haardebaai Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window for Haardebaai, but it’s a tale of two halves. The first few days are a ripper, then it gets messy, before a possible late revival.

The action kicks off on Tuesday, 1st September. We’re looking at a solid 12ft swell pouring in from the SW, with a long 13-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a massive 3905, so there’s plenty of power. The wind is a light WNW, blowing cross-offshore, which is going to keep the face of that reef clean. The water is sitting at 58°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer. This is prime stuff, but it’s for advanced surfers only – 12ft is serious business. Keep an eye out, the crowds are possible here.

Wednesday the 2nd still has some size, with 10ft SW swell, but the wind swings around to the SSE and S, putting it cross-on. It’s not blown out, but it’s not as clean as Tuesday. The energy dips a bit too, with readings of 3341 and 2795. It’s surfable, but the magic is gone.

Then we hit a bad run. From Thursday the 3rd through to Monday the 7th morning, it’s mostly poor. The wind gets nasty, with onshore and cross-onshore gales up to 34 mph. Even when the swell is there, like on Sunday the 6th with a 7ft SW swell, the wind is junk. That period is a write-off for decent waves.

Monday 7th September brings a change. The wind turns offshore from the NW, with a gentle to moderate breeze. The swell drops to 4ft to 5ft from the SSW, with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (987 and 1176). It’s a clean, offshore morning, making it the next standout window. It’s a big step down in size from the first day, but it’ll be the cleanest, most user-friendly waves of the first week.

The middle of the week (8th to 11th) is back to ordinary or poor conditions, with onshore winds or just small, weak swell.

Saturday 12th September is a sneaky one. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon, with a light SSE breeze. The swell is only 3ft from the WSW, but it’s clean and the energy is low (305). For a mellow, grovelly session, it’s a nice little window.

Sunday 13th September looks promising too. A fresh offshore WNW wind, and the swell bumps up to 6ft from the WSW, with a long 15-second period. The energy is strong (2320). This is a proper groundswell, and with the offshore wind, it’ll be clean. This is likely the best of the second week, but it’s a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed.

The final days drop off again, with onshore winds. The very last day, Wednesday 16th September, shows an 8ft SW swell, but it’s got onshore wind, so it’s likely a messy, powerful beast for experts only.

The best on offer: Tuesday 1st September for the big, powerful, clean groundswell (advanced only), and Monday 7th September for clean, offshore waves at a more manageable size. Sunday 13th September is the long-range wildcard that could be a beauty.

Rusty.

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