
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,722 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
First up, we’ve got a stretch ahead that’s mostly for the experienced crew. The real action kicks off with a solid SSW swell rolling in on Friday the 10th, with waves around 8.2ft and a 13-second period. That’s packing a fair bit of power (combined energy 2402). The morning is looking clean with a cross-off SE breeze, so Horse Trails (sandbar) will be offering up some excellent, punchy waves. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but you can expect it to be a bit busy – crowds are sometimes an issue here. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
The SSW swell sticks around through Saturday the 11th, dropping a touch to 6.9ft, but still with that nice 12-second period. Morning is clean again with light ESE winds, making it another good window for the intermediate to advanced surfer. The energy is still moderate (1591).
By Sunday the 12th, the swell has eased to 5.2ft, and the period is still a solid 11 seconds. The morning looks clean with a light offshore. Not a standout, but a decent, fun-sized option.
The best window of the first week is shaping up to be Thursday the 16th. We’ve got 7.9ft of clean SSW swell (13-second period, combined energy 1874) with a light cross-off SE breeze. This is the pick of the first week for experienced surfers – consistent, powerful, and clean. The afternoon goes a bit onshore, so get out early.
Now, there’s a bit of a lull after that. Friday the 17th is messy, and Saturday the 18th has a huge spike in swell, but it’s too big for this break. For the rest of the second week, there are a few moments where the swell is just too hefty (over 8.2ft, or even 9.8-13ft) for comfort, and the wind isn’t always cooperating. Sunday the 19th and the following Thursday and Friday are all too big, hitting 9.8ft to 24.6ft. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s a lot of water moving around.
The real standout for the second week, if you’re an expert after a proper challenge, is Saturday the 25th. The forecast shows 13.1ft of SW swell with a very long 17-second period, under glassy conditions in the morning. The energy is massive (15501). That kind of long-period groundswell is best read on a point or reef, but here at the sandbar it will be breaking pretty straight. It’s a true big-wave session for the brave.
So, to sum it up: the best surf is on the 10th and 16th for the first week, with the 25th being the one for the big-wave specialists in the second week. The rest is either too small, too messy, or just too damn big.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thu 16 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2545 | 2386 | 1989 | 1154 | 1310 | 833 | 814 | 561 | 385 | 260 | 209 | 150 | 98 | 116 | 111 | 108 | 371 | 1835 | 2722 | 1874 | 1381 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:42PM1.29m | 11:40AM1.15m | 11:57PM1.34m | 12:49PM1.25m | 1:03AM1.41m | 1:48PM1.36m | 2:02AM1.49m | 2:40PM1.47m | 2:54AM1.55m | 3:27PM1.56m | 3:42AM1.56m | 4:12PM1.61m | 4:28AM1.54m | 4:55PM1.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:22AM0.34m | 5:37PM0.45m | 6:34AM0.26m | 6:51PM0.37m | 7:34AM0.17m | 7:53PM0.26m | 8:26AM0.08m | 8:48PM0.17m | 9:14AM0.02m | 9:38PM0.10m | 9:58AM-0.00m | 10:25PM0.08m | 10:40AM0.01m | ||||||||
— | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | |
5:52 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
2545 | 2386 | 1989 | 1154 | 1310 | 833 | 814 | 561 | 385 | 260 | 209 | 150 | 88 | 116 | 111 | 104 | 371 | 1835 | 2722 | 1874 | 1381 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | W 14 | W 13 | S 7 | W 11 | SW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | S 9 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 9 | W 9 | — | — | — |
796 | 16 | 52 | 156 | 116 | 244 | 163 | 112 | 110 | 69 | 66 | 41 | 98 | 24 | 53 | 108 | 74 | 71 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 12 | W 19 | W 12 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 8 | SW 12 | W 9 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 136 | 7 | 166 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 33 | 33 | 25 | 28 | 59 | 23 | 51 | 74 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 197 | 166 | 158 | 136 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











