Horse Trails Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 18.45° E

Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Horse Trails sea temperature is
12.8°C
2.7° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with 2,837 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 2PM (Wed 2nd Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's cookin' at Horse Trails.

First up, the water is sitting at 55°, which is a whopping 5° colder than what's normal for this time of year. That's a real teeth-chatterer, so don't forget the thickest rubber you've got if you're paddling out here.

Right off the bat, we've got a massive pulse of energy rolling in for Wednesday morning. We're looking at a solid 10 ft swell from the southwest, packing a serious punch with a combined energy reading of 3169. That's a lot of juice. But here's the thing – it's predicted to be too big for this break. The cross-on wind from the south at 6 mph isn't helping much either. It's a setup that's more suited for the big-wave crew or maybe even kite surfers than a standard paddle session. The afternoon cleans up a bit in size to 8 ft, but the wind shifts to a stronger 9 mph cross-on from the south-southwest, making it choppy and messy.

The standout session, and the one I'd be circling on the calendar, is Thursday morning. We've got a clean 6 ft swell from the west-southwest, with a long period of 13 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze from the south-southeast at 6 mph. The energy is still moderate at 1129, but with that offshore wind, it's going to be glassy and lined up beautifully. This is your window for clean, fun waves.

Thursday afternoon, however, the wind cranks up to 28 mph from the southeast. That's a strong breeze, and while the swell jumps back to 10 ft, it's just too wind-affected and big for a good time here. The whole weekend is looking pretty average with strong cross-off winds and short-period, choppy swell. We get a bit of a tease on Sunday morning, the 6th, with a 6 ft southwest swell and a very long 18-second period, combined energy at 2183, and light winds. But it's a cross-off breeze, and that long period is better suited for a point or reef break than a sandbar like this – it'll be fat and hard to connect with.

There's a real dry spell from the 8th of September all the way through the 14th. The swell drops right off, with sizes under 3 ft most days, and the wind is either onshore or cross-shore. It's a proper flat spell. The morning of the 15th offers a glimmer of hope with a 5 ft west-southwest swell and light offshore winds, but it's only a 'good' session, not a classic.

The real big one, and I mean big, is brewing for the 16th and 17th. The 16th of September morning shows a 4 ft swell but with a massive 17-second period and energy of 2215. But the following afternoon? We're talking a 15 ft southwest swell with an energy reading of 10271. That's an absolute monster. And the 17th morning is still holding at 13 ft with 5694 energy. Again, it's predicted to be too big for this break, and the wind is up. This is expert-only territory, and honestly, even then, it might be just a washing machine. For the average surfer, this whole run is a write-off unless you're looking to get smashed.

So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Thursday morning, September 3rd. The morning of the 15th is a decent secondary option, but Thursday is the cleanest, most manageable swell of the whole forecast.

Stay stoked, and don't forget that hood.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SE by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
2
4
3
!
!
0
!
1
2
2
3
4
2
3
1
0
2
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)
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.3
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
13
3
S
10
3
S
9
2.3
S
9
3
SSE
8
2
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
8
1.1
SW
21
1.8
SW
18
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.2
SSW
12
0.9
WSW
12
0.9
SSW
11
0.6
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3169
2528
1700
996
1527
1285
885
1001
511
573
447
1103
2065
1571
1059
1004
991
384
206
183
138
Wind (km/h)
10
S
15
SSW
10
NNE
10
SSE
45
SE
45
SE
45
SE
35
SE
20
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
15
WNW
10
N
20
NNW
20
WNW
5
NNW
10
W
10
WSW
0
NE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
6:19PM1.41m
6:49AM1.20m
7:11PM1.27m
7:57AM1.08m
8:31PM1.15m
9:47AM1.03m
10:28PM1.12m
11:37AM1.12m
00:03AM1.20m
12:46PM1.27m
1:05AM1.32m
1:34PM1.43m
1:53AM1.44m
Low Tide
11:59AM0.28m
00:39AM0.29m
12:46PM0.40m
1:38AM0.41m
1:56PM0.53m
3:14AM0.50m
3:58PM0.59m
5:14AM0.47m
5:54PM0.50m
6:31AM0.35m
7:02PM0.34m
7:23AM0.22m
7:50PM0.20m
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:01
7:01
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:28
6:29
6:29
6:30
6:30
6:31
6:31
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
14
16
16
15
15
18
14
16
22
18
21
23
15
17
18
14
16
17
15
Feels °C
15
15
13
14
9
7
5
9
10
11
18
14
20
22
14
14
14
13
14
16
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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