
Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 4,214 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here, let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for Horse Trails.
This is a sandbar set-up that needs a solid SW swell to get going, and we’ve got a long window ahead. The first week is the real deal, with a standout period that’s gonna have you grabbing your board. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 58°, with a notable anomaly of 2° cooler than usual.
We kick off on Saturday morning, July 11th. The swell is a solid 7 ft from the SSW, with a 12-second period and a hefty combined energy of 1433 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light and cross-off from the ESE at 6 mph, so the surf is clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 7 ft, it’s pushing a bit for beginners. That morning is the pick of the whole run.
By Saturday afternoon, the swell drops to 6 ft, and the wind swings to a cross-shore from the SSE, making things a bit more average. Sunday morning, the 12th, still has a decent 5 ft SSW swell with clean conditions and a cross-off breeze. The energy drops to 700 (moderate), but it’s still a good wave.
Monday morning, the 13th, brings a glassy start with the wind from the E at 3 mph, but the swell is down to 3 ft with a 10-second period. The energy is weak at 271. It’s surfable, but nothing to get too excited about. The afternoon goes onshore, so that’s a write-off.
Tuesday the 14th is small and glassy in the morning with a 3 ft W swell, but the energy is weak (251). The afternoon gets cross-onshore, so it’s chalky.
Now, Wednesday afternoon, July 15th, is a sneaky standout. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the SW with a long 15-second period, and the combined energy rockets up to 2396 (strong wave energy). The wind is a light cross-onshore, which is a bit of a bummer, but that’s a powerful groundswell that will be lining up nicely. This is a big wave for the spot, so only for the experienced crew.
Thursday the 16th gets too big. The morning swell is 10 ft from the SW with a 13-second period and 2880 energy (very strong). The wind is cross-onshore, but the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Same story for the afternoon at 8 ft. Friday the 17th is also too big, with a 12 ft SSW swell and 3560 energy (very strong), though the wind is clean offshore. That’s a no-go for paddling, but might be interesting for the kite surfers.
After that, the surf settles down a bit. Saturday morning, July 18th, is a great call: 6 ft SW swell, 14-second period, clean offshore wind from the E at 6 mph. Energy is 1763 (strong), and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your second big highlight.
From Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 22nd, it’s mostly small and messy with strong winds, not worth paddling out.
Wednesday the 22nd morning picks up again with a 6 ft SW swell and clean cross-off wind, but the energy is moderate (1138). The conditions are marginal, but it’s a step up from the flat spell. Thursday the 23rd is a bit smaller, and Friday the 24th morning brings back a clean 7 ft SW swell with a 12-second period and 1505 energy (strong). That’s another solid session for the experienced.
The last real standout is Saturday morning, July 25th. Glassy conditions with a 7 ft SW swell, 12-second period, and 1465 energy (strong). The wind is glassy from the WSW at 3 mph. That’s a clean, powerful wave for the experts.
The final Sunday, the 26th, has a 7 ft SW swell but the wind is a cross-shore at 12 mph, making it a bit choppy.
So, the two true standouts are the Saturday morning, July 11th, and the Saturday morning, July 25th. Both are clean, powerful, and for the experienced crew. The rest of the window has some good sessions, but those two are the ones to circle on the calendar.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1310 | 833 | 889 | 561 | 392 | 260 | 173 | 159 | 171 | 167 | 156 | 132 | 258 | 2255 | 3789 | 2880 | 2103 | 2402 | 3521 | 2781 | 3228 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:49PM1.25m | 1:03AM1.41m | 1:48PM1.36m | 2:02AM1.49m | 2:40PM1.47m | 2:54AM1.55m | 3:27PM1.56m | 3:42AM1.56m | 4:12PM1.61m | 4:28AM1.54m | 4:55PM1.63m | 5:12AM1.48m | 5:37PM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:51PM0.37m | 7:34AM0.17m | 7:53PM0.26m | 8:26AM0.08m | 8:48PM0.17m | 9:14AM0.02m | 9:38PM0.10m | 9:58AM-0.00m | 10:25PM0.08m | 10:40AM0.01m | 11:11PM0.09m | 11:20AM0.07m | 11:55PM0.15m | ||||||||
7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 |
1310 | 833 | 889 | 561 | 392 | 260 | 173 | 159 | 171 | 167 | 156 | 132 | 258 | 2255 | 3789 | 2880 | 2103 | 2402 | 3521 | 2781 | 3228 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | SW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 9 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | WSW 20 | SW 18 | — |
116 | 244 | 163 | 114 | 110 | 69 | 66 | 40 | 90 | 25 | 55 | 52 | 104 | 141 | — | — | — | — | 39 | 157 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 19 | W 12 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | 166 | 12 | 25 | 37 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 44 | 59 | 25 | 108 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | — | — |
— | 132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 202 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 57 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
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.










