Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 6,128 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 24th 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 run through the surf for the next couple of weeks.
We've got a solid run of swell coming in, but the first few days are a bit messy with onshore winds. The real quality starts to show up from mid-next week, and there are two sessions that stand out as absolute crackers.
First up, the bomb is for Friday, July 24th. A big pulse of SW swell hits at a solid 12ft with a long 14-second period. The combined energy is pumping at 4302 (moderate wave energy), which is a lot of power. The data flags it as too big for this break, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. The morning is clean with a light cross-shore, which is a plus, but the size will be intense. The afternoon is similar, with a 10ft SW swell at 2901. This is an expert-only day.
Then, we have a truly special morning on Saturday, July 25th. The swell drops to a more manageable 8ft from the SW, still with a nice 12-second period. The combined energy is a strong 1777. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SE, giving us clean, groomed lines. This is the standout session for experienced surfers – excellent conditions, with a much better size for paddling and positioning. Crowds are possible at this spot, so get in early.
The water temperature is sitting at 58°F, which is about average for the time of year.
Beyond that, the second week sees a similar pattern of solid SW swells, but with more variable wind. The morning of Sunday, August 2nd is worth a mention. We’ve got a 7ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period, a massive 2717 energy reading, and perfect offshore winds from the ENE. This is a groundswell and will be powerful, but on a point or reef, it would be a dream. At this beach break, it might wall up, but with those clean conditions, it’s still a great option. The glassy morning on Monday, August 3rd with a 6ft SW swell also looks like a fun, clean session.
In summary, the best of the best is the Saturday, July 25th morning session for the combination of size, power, and perfect wind. The Friday, July 24th is for the big-wave chargers only. The second week has some promising calls, but the confidence is lower.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SW 11 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 868 | 1080 | 492 | 279 | 322 | 1664 | 2205 | 1799 | 1319 | 1311 | 680 | 1026 | 770 | 6128 | 4302 | 2901 | 1975 | 1777 | 1500 | 1169 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:01PM1.42m | 7:23AM1.17m | 7:45PM1.31m | 8:15AM1.07m | 8:37PM1.19m | 9:22AM1.00m | 9:43PM1.11m | 10:48AM0.98m | 11:05PM1.08m | 12:11PM1.02m | 00:19AM1.11m | 1:10PM1.09m | 1:14AM1.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:24AM0.33m | 1:21PM0.39m | 2:14AM0.43m | 2:09PM0.51m | 3:14AM0.51m | 3:14PM0.60m | 4:34AM0.55m | 4:48PM0.64m | 5:57AM0.53m | 6:16PM0.61m | 6:58AM0.46m | 7:16PM0.54m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — |
 | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 868 | 1080 | 492 | 279 | 113 | 1664 | 2205 | 1799 | 1319 | 1311 | 680 | 1026 | 770 | 6128 | 4302 | 2901 | 1975 | 1777 | 1500 | 1169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 16 | W 9 | W 9 | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 100 | 153 | 117 | 92 | 322 | 39 | 24 | — | 21 | — | 237 | 97 | 222 | — | — | — | 105 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 19 | 9 | 6 | 50 | 118 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | SSE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 30 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 4 | 1 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 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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