Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
13.4°C
2.2° 

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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,186 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period with SW 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Tue 1st Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (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, surfers, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag here at Horse Trails. This is a sandbar setup that’s fairly exposed to the SW swell, and it’s got a fairly consistent track record when the conditions line up. The water temps are sitting right around average for this time of year, nothing wild there.

The big story right now is the energy. We’re starting off with a strong pulse of swell – the combined energy is hitting 2112 (moderate to strong wave energy) – but it’s coming with a cross wind and a cross-chop that’s making things messy. The swell is a solid 8 ft at 12 seconds from the SW on Sunday, but those winds are a real buzzkill. Sunday and Monday are looking pretty poor, with the score being low and the wave comment calling it marginal or poor. Tuesday sees the swell jump up to 10 ft, and the energy is even bigger – 2561 – but the cross-onshore wind is just going to chop it up again. It’s a shame, because there’s plenty of power in the water.

Now, Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is when things get interesting. The swell is still a thumping 10 ft from the SW, period stretching out to 14 seconds, and the combined energy is up at 3499 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is a light cross-onshore, only 6 mph, so it’s clean with just small ripples. This is big, powerful, groundswell, and at 10 ft, it’s expert territory only. The wave comment says the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is too big for this break. For a sandbar, that long period (14 seconds) can make the waves a bit too walled-up and fast, but if you’ve got the skill and the right board, this could be a serious session. This is the standout in the first week – massive, clean energy, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

After that, Thursday and Friday get wrecked by a strong breeze from the SSE, blowing 28 mph. The swell drops, but the wind is howling and the surfaces are a mess. Thursday is especially bad, with the wind making it a write-off. Friday the wind is cross-off, so the faces are clean, but the wind is still strong, and the swell is down to 5 ft, so it’s not worth the fight.

The weekend of September 5th-6th is a bit of a breather. The swell drops to 4 ft, and the wind is light. On Sunday morning, the 6th, we get a nice cross-off wind from the north, the swell is 5 ft from the SW at 14 seconds, and the energy is 801. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions,” and it’s clean. This is a much more manageable size, and the quality is there. This is the best option for intermediate surfers and a solid pick for anyone who wants a fun, clean session without the heavy stuff.

The second week starts off mellow. Monday the 7th is small, and Tuesday the 8th morning has a nice little pulse. The swell is 5 ft from the WSW at 13 seconds, the wind is a light cross-off from the SE, and the energy is 891. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions,” and it’s clean. That Tuesday morning is a real gem – not huge, but well-shaped and clean. After that, the swell fades again, but there are a few more promising windows. The 11th of September sees a rising swell, 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW, but the wind is cross or cross-on, so it’s marginal. The 12th, Saturday morning, is another big one – 10 ft from the WSW at 13 seconds, energy at 2904, and the wind is a light cross, so it’s clean. But again, that’s expert-only size, and the wave comment says it’s too big for this break. The 14th, Monday morning, is a nice finish: 5 ft from the SW, light cross-off wind from the ESE, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” Clean and fun.

Overall, the standout is Wednesday morning, September 2nd – massive, clean, and powerful, but only for experts. For the rest of us, Tuesday morning, September 8th, and the morning of the 14th are the best bets for clean, fun waves. The crowds at Horse Trails are sometimes an issue, so keep that in mind, especially if you’re hitting it on a weekend.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds.

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
0
2
2
0
!
!
!
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
13
2.5
SW
12
2.5
SW
12
2.1
WSW
12
2
SW
11
1.8
SW
11
2.3
SW
11
2.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.8
S
8
1.6
SW
11
1.4
SW
11
1.3
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
805
2101
1821
1158
1019
771
1237
2031
2561
4186
3499
3020
2154
980
659
448
626
493
368
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
15
SSE
15
S
15
S
10
S
15
SSW
20
SSW
10
SE
10
SSW
15
S
0
NNW
45
SSE
45
SSE
35
SE
45
SE
40
SE
10
SE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
7:57AM1.08m
8:31PM1.15m
Low Tide
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
1:56PM0.53m
3:14AM0.50m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
heavy rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:24
6:25
6:27
6:27
6:28
6:29
6:29
 mm
2
13
Temp °C
14
14
15
12
13
14
12
14
15
14
16
18
14
12
14
14
16
19
15
Feels °C
10
8
10
6
10
10
9
12
11
12
14
16
12
5
4
6
8
11
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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