
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 26 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 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM.
| 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, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's cooking at Horse Trails.
First off, the water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about 3° colder than normal for this time of year. Bit of a bite to it, so you'll be wanting that 4/3.
We've got a bit of a slow start to the period. The first real sniff of action comes on Sunday, July 26th, with a 6ft SW swell, but it's got a cross-on wind and a combined energy of 1282. It's pretty marginal and not really worth paddling out for.
The real story starts to build on Monday, July 27th. The swell is pumping up to 8ft from the SW, with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is jumping to 3259. It's a solid groundswell. But the wind is a fresh cross-shore, so it's going to be lumpy and choppy. A bit wild.
The magic window starts to open up on Tuesday, July 28th. The morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, and the swell is still a solid 8ft from the SW, 14-second period, and 2533 energy. The standout is Tuesday afternoon. The wind turns offshore and gentle, the waves are a clean 8ft, and the energy is 2484. It's going to be sending those lines down the sandbar with perfect shape. This is a true standout for the experienced crew, as it's pushing into expert territory.
Wednesday, July 29th, has a nice morning with offshore wind and a 6ft SW swell (1161 energy). It's clean and very good. The afternoon turns a bit lumpy.
We’ve got a few smaller days after that. Thursday and Friday have smaller swells, 5ft and 4ft, but Friday afternoon, July 31st, is looking glassy. It's small, but you could have a fun little session with no wind.
Then, Saturday, August 1st, has a morning session with offshore wind and a 5ft, 14-second SW swell. Clean and promising.
Now, keep your eyes on Sunday, August 2nd. The morning is looking excellent. A 7ft SW swell, 17-second period, huge energy at 3259, and a clean cross-off wind. This is a big, powerful groundswell. For a spot like Horse Trails, that long period could make it a bit walled out, but for the experienced lads, the power and the clean conditions will be unreal. It's another standout.
The first week of August is a mixed bag. Monday the 3rd has some clean waves but the wind is a bit iffy. Then it gets messy again until Wednesday, August 5th. That’s when the swell goes absolutely nuts. We’re talking a 13ft to 16ft SW swell with a combined energy of 5997, 8924, and even 11243. The wind is favorable, but that swell is way too big for this break. It's going to be a washing machine. Leave that for the tow-in crew or the kites. The same goes for the rest of that week, with massive swell and poor conditions.
We get a brief window of clean conditions on Sunday, August 9th, with a 6ft SSW swell, but the power is down. The period ends with another massive pulse on Monday, August 10th, with a 12ft, 13-second WSW swell and 4575 energy. It's glassy and clean, but again, that size is just too much for Horse Trails.
So, if you're looking for the best of it, you’ve got two standout windows: Tuesday afternoon, July 28th, and Sunday morning, August 2nd. Both are solid, clean, and powerful. The rest of the period is either too small, too messy, or too big.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SSE by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1042 | 734 | 3253 | 3515 | 4760 | 2247 | 2004 | 1387 | 1127 | 976 | 878 | 784 | 721 | 591 | 471 | 361 | 246 | 711 | 594 | 964 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:56AM1.25m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:59PM0.45m | 8:20AM0.30m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 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 | WSW 13 |
1042 | 734 | 3253 | 3515 | 4760 | 2247 | 2004 | 1387 | 1127 | 976 | 878 | 784 | 721 | 591 | 471 | 361 | 246 | 711 | 594 | 563 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | — | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 6 | WSW 16 | SSE 5 | S 11 | SW 20 |
220 | 635 | — | — | — | — | 178 | 63 | 34 | 11 | — | — | — | 20 | 11 | 8 | 215 | 9 | 9 | 964 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 19 | WSW 18 | SSE 5 | — | SW 24 | S 10 |
20 | 195 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 60 | 5 | — | 23 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 3 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 6 | 903 | 472 | 286 | 302 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 161 | 164 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
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.










