Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 6,283 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 16s 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
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 on the menu for Horse Trails over the next two weeks and a bit.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the good news is that the swell window is open and the direction is lining up. The first real call to action is Tuesday the 28th. The morning is clean with a cross-off wind, but the real standout is Tuesday afternoon. You’re looking at a solid 8ft SW groundswell, with a period of 14 seconds, and a gentle offshore breeze from the east. That’s the kind of combo that turns a sandbar into a proper wave. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good hood or a thick suit. The combined energy is pumping at 2439, so there’s plenty of power in the water. This is the pick of the early window.
Wednesday morning holds at 6ft SW with a clean offshore wind, but the energy drops to 1074. Still a fun wave, just not as punchy as Tuesday. Things hold through the weekend with smaller, cleaner waves in the 4ft to 5ft range, and if you’re patient, you’ll get a glassy session Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon with no wind.
Now, here’s where it gets big. From the 5th of August onwards, a massive pulse of SW groundswell rolls in. We’re talking 10ft to 15ft of swell with periods hitting 16 seconds and combined energy readings over 10,000. That is serious ocean. But, and it’s a big but, this is a sandbar break that is not built for that kind of size. The swell is too big, and the models are telling us the conditions are marginal or just too big for this spot. Add in some strong winds on the 4th and the 7th, and it’s a no-go for paddle surfing. If you’re a kite surfer, the 5th, 6th, and 7th of August mornings look like a proper playground with that size and cross-off winds.
The period from the 4th to the 9th of August is a big, messy gap for anyone on a surfboard. The swell is too big and the wind is inconsistent. The 11th of August brings a new, more manageable 7ft WSW swell with a period of 14 seconds and clean conditions. That’s a promising one for the second week, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Stay sharp, and don’t be afraid to sit this one out when it gets too big. The waves will be back.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3715 | 3144 | 2247 | 2004 | 1502 | 1053 | 1083 | 976 | 796 | 721 | 663 | 416 | 361 | 255 | 721 | 604 | 623 | 494 | 479 | 421 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:29PM1.27m | 2:33AM1.32m | 3:02PM1.36m | 3:06AM1.38m | 3:33PM1.43m | 3:38AM1.41m | 4:03PM1.49m | 4:09AM1.43m | 4:33PM1.52m | 4:41AM1.42m | 5:03PM1.53m | 5:13AM1.39m | 5:34PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:36PM0.38m | 8:52AM0.23m | 9:09PM0.31m | 9:22AM0.17m | 9:40PM0.25m | 9:50AM0.13m | 10:11PM0.22m | 10:18AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.20m | 10:47AM0.13m | 11:13PM0.20m | 11:16AM0.16m | 11:47PM0.21m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — |
 | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 3715 | 3144 | 2247 | 2004 | 1502 | 1053 | 1083 | 976 | 796 | 721 | 663 | 416 | 361 | 255 | 721 | 604 | 623 | 494 | 479 | 421 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SE 10 | SE 11 | — | S 9 | S 9 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 178 | 114 | 21 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 60 | 142 | 15 | 4 | — | 7 | 6 | 205 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | WSW 18 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 60 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | — |
| kJ | 938 | 427 | 280 | 257 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 164 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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