Holbaai surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Monday 18 May 2026 SAST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Holbaai surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Holbaai sea temperature is
15.9° C
(Which is 1.1°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Holbaai this week:

The surf forecast for Holbaai over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (May 18) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Holbaai in the next 16 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (May 18) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Mon 18th May)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 19th May)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 25th May)8ft (2.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holbaai over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
!
3
3
3
2
0
1
0
0
2
2
1
3
2
2
4
4
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
2.4
SSE
8
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.1
S
10
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
0.4
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.6
SW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
SW
16
1.9
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
969
929
800
565
414
260
180
121
71
138
116
258
322
427
676
669
646
988
563
894
1387
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
15
SE
10
SE
10
ESE
10
ESE
10
W
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
NW
10
NNE
5
NW
15
SW
5
SSE
10
S
10
S
5
SE
5
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
4:28PM1.52m
4:43AM1.54m
5:17PM1.46m
5:35AM1.43m
6:11PM1.39m
6:32AM1.30m
7:13PM1.32m
7:39AM1.18m
8:23PM1.27m
8:58AM1.10m
9:38PM1.25m
10:20AM1.08m
10:47PM1.27m
Low Tide
10:15AM-0.00m
10:34PM0.14m
11:02AM0.07m
11:26PM0.21m
11:52AM0.18m
00:25AM0.31m
12:48PM0.29m
1:34AM0.40m
1:52PM0.39m
2:55AM0.45m
3:06PM0.46m
4:17AM0.44m
4:22PM0.48m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:51
5:51
5:50
5:49
5:49
5:47
2
Temp °C
17
21
19
19
22
19
19
20
18
17
17
16
17
17
17
17
19
17
17
18
16
15
19
17
17
21
17
18
20
19
16
15
15
18
17
17
16
18
16
17
17
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
1.9
S
9
1.8
S
9
1.3
S
10
1.1
S
10
0.9
S
9
0.8
S
9
0.7
S
8
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.8
SSW
6
0.8
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.5
SW
12
1.6
SW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.4
SW
16
1.9
SW
14
Energy kJ
969
929
550
565
313
240
130
99
55
138
116
45
322
427
676
669
646
988
563
894
1387
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
S
6
1.5
S
8
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
11
0.6
S
7
0.6
S
7
0.7
SW
11
0.6
SW
11
0.7
SW
11
0.2
S
9
0.4
SW
4
0.2
WSW
20
0.5
SW
18
1
SW
16
0.8
WSW
9
0.1
S
11
Energy kJ
78
275
640
528
414
260
180
121
47
37
34
126
101
115
6
4
38
157
502
88
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
S
10
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
15
0.1
SW
16
0.3
SW
15
0.4
SW
14
0.2
WSW
11
0.4
SW
20
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SSW
5
0.3
S
5
0.3
SSE
9
0.1
S
9
0.3
SW
20
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
12
Energy kJ
50
5
4
10
35
71
12
98
258
17
4
16
2
60
3
3
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSE
6
2
SSE
7
2.4
SSE
8
0.3
NNW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.4
SW
4
0.5
SW
4
0.3
SSW
4
Energy kJ
123
392
800
1
3
4
8
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
Distance (km)
1
1
6
1
0
0
0
34
0
2
40
0
0
19
0
1
1
0
0
40
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
4
3
4
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
6
5
7
5
5
5
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Holbaai Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Holbaai provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Holbaai can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Holbaai 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 (Holbaai) 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 Holbaai 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.

Holbaai is 9 km (6 miles) from the city of Robben Island. If you plan a holiday in Cape Town, look for hotels and other accommodation in Robben Island. Robben Island has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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