Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 15 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
13.2° C
2.3° 

Horse Trails surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Horse Trails surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,331 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Horse Trails this week:

The surf forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. 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 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 15th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 16th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2AM (Mon 17th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty checkin’ in from Horse Trails.

Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the way at Horse Trails. It’s a sandbar that’s fairly exposed to the swell window, and it’s fairly consistent overall, so there’s plenty to get excited about. The water is sitting at 56° which is much colder than what you’d normally expect for this time of year – that anomaly of -4° is notable, so bring the thick rubber.

The action kicks off Saturday morning (August 15). We’re looking at a clean 6ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, which is nice and long. The wind is glassy out of the SE at 3 mph, so it’ll be smooth. The combined swell energy is at 1100 – moderate – but it’s a quality start. This is the real standout of the whole outlook: a proper clean morning with a good groundswell. Afternoon gets a bit cross-on and drops off.

Sunday (August 16), the morning is clean again. Swell picks up to 6ft from the WSW, period still 14 seconds, and wind is cross-off from the N at 9 mph – looking very clean. Energy jumps to 1403. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s a close second to Saturday morning. Afternoon gets a bit lumpy with a cross-on breeze.

Monday (August 17) sees the swell build into the 8ft range from the WSW with a 13-second period. That’s getting into big territory – for the experienced crew only. Wind is light cross-on from the NW in the morning, but still manageable. Combined energy is a massive 2528 – strong wave energy. Still, the wind angle isn’t perfect, so it’s less of a standout.

Tuesday (August 18) and Wednesday (August 19) keep the size around 8ft from SW, but Wednesday morning (August 19) delivers a glassy window with the same 8ft swell – that’s a solid option for the experts. Energy is 1632. The rest of the week is a mix of cross and cross-on winds keeping things just okay.

Friday (August 21) and Saturday (August 22) drop down to around 6ft, but winds go onshore and cross-on, so quality slips. Not much to write home about.

Sunday (August 23) brings in a bigger push: 7ft from the SSW, 12-second period, and a cross wind at 9 mph. Energy is 3008 – very strong. But it’s not glassy, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

Now, Monday (August 24) – this one’s interesting. The morning has 8ft from the SSW with a very long 15-second period. Combine that with the energy reading of 2896 and a light cross wind, and you’ve got a powerful, very long-period groundswell. This kind of swell can be tricky on a sandbar – it can break too straight – but if you find a bank that works, the waves will have real push. The afternoon drops to 7ft SSW with 14 seconds. This morning is a promising highlight for the second week, but less certain.

Tuesday (August 25) afternoon turns glassy again with a 6ft SW swell – a small, clean session for those who want an easy paddle.

Wednesday (August 26) morning is another big one: 8ft from the SW with a 16-second period – even longer period than Monday. Energy is 3097. Wind is cross-off from the N at 12 mph, so it will be clean but powerful. Again, that long period on a sandbar means packs more of a punch and can be straight, but if you’re a charger, this is a window to watch.

After that, the energy fades through the end of August, with smaller slow period swell and onshore or cross-onshore winds. Friday (August 28) has poor conditions with the smallest swell of the run.

The best on offer overall: Saturday morning (August 15) for the combination of glassy winds, good size (6ft), and long-period WSW swell. Sunday morning (August 16) is a close second with clean, cross-off winds and bigger swell (6ft). After that, there are some big, clean windows for experts, but the wind is never quite as perfect again.

So, keep your eyes on that first weekend – that’s where the magic sits.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
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
2
3
4
2
!
3
3
3
2
2
!
4
3
2
2
3
4
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
13
2
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
13
2.4
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
2.4
SW
13
3
SW
12
2.4
SW
12
2.2
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2.1
SW
12
2.3
SW
13
2.4
SW
12
2
SW
12
1.9
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1043
1144
1444
1403
2082
3331
2528
2026
1756
916
1975
2221
1632
1347
1111
1111
1677
1599
1094
914
756
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
10
SSW
5
NNW
15
N
10
WNW
10
NNE
5
NW
10
SW
10
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
10
SE
5
SSE
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
SSE
15
SSE
10
ESE
10
W
10
WSW
5
ENE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
on
on
glassy
High Tide
5:05PM1.64m
5:22AM1.43m
5:39PM1.55m
5:57AM1.33m
6:13PM1.43m
6:32AM1.21m
6:48PM1.29m
7:12AM1.10m
7:29PM1.15m
8:07AM0.99m
8:32PM1.04m
9:49AM0.92m
10:25PM0.98m
Low Tide
10:51AM0.05m
11:22PM0.09m
11:24AM0.14m
11:57PM0.19m
11:57AM0.25m
00:31AM0.30m
12:30PM0.38m
1:08AM0.42m
1:06PM0.51m
1:55AM0.54m
1:57PM0.63m
3:19AM0.62m
3:53PM0.70m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
 mm
Temp °C
14
17
16
16
17
15
15
16
15
15
16
14
17
19
16
16
18
14
16
18
13
Feels °C
13
15
15
13
14
14
14
16
14
12
12
12
15
16
14
14
15
11
14
17
13
  • 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 Horse Trails Surf forecast

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

Horse Trails is 8 km (5 miles) from the very large 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 cheap car hire and transport links.

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