Holbaai surfForecast / Cape Town / South Africa

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 pm Wednesday 21 Jan 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
12.6° C
(Which is 7.2°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 1.8m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Holbaai in the next 12 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 22) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 21st Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 8PM (Thu 22nd Jan)8ft (2.4m) 15s
Most Powerful 8PM (Tue 27th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Holbaai over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
0
0
!
!
0
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
1
0
3
!
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
SW
1.4
SW
1.8
SW
2.1
SW
3
SSW
3
SSW
3
SSW
3
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.4
SSW
2.2
SW
2.1
SW
2.1
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
1.9
SW
2.5
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
Period(s) (?)121213151414131313121211111111111212131313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)625561106018853302331333092860189918101553119310469907126909461799347832222474
Wind
(km/h)
30
SSE
10
SSE
25
SW
25
SW
15
S
15
SSW
25
SSW
10
SSE
15
SW
25
SSW
15
SSE
15
SSW
25
SSW
15
S
15
SW
25
SW
5
SW
20
S
25
S
5
SSE
20
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrosscrosscross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:57PM
1.44
5:21AM
1.54
5:32PM
1.40
5:55AM
1.52
6:10PM
1.33
6:33AM
1.47
6:54PM
1.25
7:18AM
1.40
7:49PM
1.15
8:16AM
1.30
9:05PM
1.07
9:35AM
1.23
10:45PM
1.06
11:12AM
1.22
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:03PM
0.10
11:31AM
0.19
11:36PM
0.15
12:09PM
0.22
12:11AM
0.22
12:51PM
0.27
12:52AM
0.31
1:42PM
0.34
1:44AM
0.41
2:50PM
0.41
2:57AM
0.51
4:22PM
0.44
4:43AM
0.54
Wed
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Sunrise--5:56--5:58--5:58--6:00--6:01--6:01--6:03
Sunset7:57--7:57--7:55--7:55--7:54--7:54--7:53--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C262020202019201821222022242122221921231820
Feels °C (?)221817171716161519191820211820191819201518
  • 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 12 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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