Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,022 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 29) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for Horse Trails over the next couple of weeks.
Well, we’re looking at a bit of a slow start, but the waiting game is going to pay off in a big way. The first few days (Saturday through Monday) are a write-off, with messy onshore winds and lumpy, unappealing surf. The best bet is to stay on the beach for the weekend and wait for the real show.
Now, the standout window is the week ahead. Tuesday, the 1st of September, is the absolute pick of the forecast. Tuesday morning, the wind drops to glassy, and the swell is a solid 8 ft from the southwest, with a clean 13-second period. The combined energy is a strong 2270, which tells you there’s plenty of power in the water. This is a fantastic intermediate session – clean, glassy, and punchy. For the more experienced, Tuesday afternoon sees the swell jump to 10 ft, but it’s onshore, so the morning is the real magic.
The following Wednesday and Thursday mornings (the 2nd and 3rd of September) also have appeal. Wednesday morning has a 10 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, but it’s a cross-shore wind. The energy is very high at 3527, but wave heights are getting big – over 8 ft, so this is expert territory. Thursday morning is a bit smaller at 7 ft, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the SE, making it a clean, workable option for the brave.
The swell drops off significantly after that. From the 5th of September, we’re seeing smaller waves. Saturday the 5th has a clean 4 ft SSW swell with offshore winds, but it’s not much to write home about. Sunday the 6th afternoon has a glassy 4 ft SW swell, which is nice for a mellow session on a longboard.
Looking further out, the second week is much quieter. The 9th of September offers a tiny 3 ft SW swell with glassy conditions, and the 10th sees a longer-period 4 ft WSW swell, but it’s onshore. Then, the models are showing another massive pulse around the 11th and 12th of September – 10 ft to 12 ft SW swells, with very strong energy (over 4000). That’s a big, powerful swell, and it’s predicted to be too big for the break, so only the most experienced with a death wish should even think about it. The 13th of September morning looks promising with a 8 ft SW swell and offshore wind, but it’s a long way off.
So, to wrap it up: Tuesday the 1st of September morning is the clear winner. The rest of the first week has some big, powerful swells for experts, and the second week is mostly small with a few promising but distant pulses.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the SE by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | S 8 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
454 | 724 | 756 | 793 | 2040 | 1471 | 1106 | 961 | 821 | 460 | 2270 | 2873 | 4022 | 3527 | 3020 | 1775 | 1192 | 889 | 1462 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:44AM1.50m | 4:01PM1.63m | 4:16AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.63m | 4:48AM1.47m | 5:03PM1.59m | 5:23AM1.41m | 5:38PM1.52m | 6:02AM1.31m | 6:19PM1.41m | 6:49AM1.20m | 7:11PM1.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:44PM0.10m | 9:49AM0.07m | 10:14PM0.07m | 10:18AM0.07m | 10:45PM0.07m | 10:48AM0.11m | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:22AM0.18m | 11:55PM0.19m | 11:59AM0.28m | 00:39AM0.29m | 12:46PM0.40m | 1:38AM0.41m | ||||||
— | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
6:24 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 9 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 11 |
454 | 724 | 756 | 542 | 2040 | 1471 | 1106 | 961 | 821 | 460 | 2270 | 2873 | 4022 | 3527 | 3020 | 1775 | 1192 | 548 | 263 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 11 | WSW 13 | SSE 11 | — | S 7 | — | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WSW 11 |
96 | 104 | 39 | 793 | 11 | — | 16 | — | — | 321 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 48 | 85 | 296 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 18 | — | S 11 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 |
62 | — | 61 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | 226 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 123 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | SW 10 | — | — | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSE 5 | S 8 | S 10 |
3 | — | 535 | — | — | 55 | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 191 | 109 | 889 | 1462 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 72 | 341 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 401 | 0 | 120 | 401 | 1436 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











