Surf Forecasts:
Horse Trails surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,886 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.8m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Horse Trails in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Horse Trails over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial Version
Alright, grab your stick and listen up. The coming days are looking pretty tidy for Horse Trails, especially if you’re an intermediate. The water is sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 3° cooler – so don’t forget the boots if you’re thin-skinned.
We kick things off on Tuesday the 28th of July. The morning is clean with a moderate cross-off breeze, and we’ve got a solid 8ft SW groundswell pumping in at 14 seconds. The energy is strong (2533), but the morning is marked as marginal, so the afternoon is where it’s at. That E wind goes offshore, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. The swell is a bit over the 5ft mark, so it’s not for beginners, but if you’ve got the skills, Tuesday afternoon is a standout.
Wednesday the 29th still has good size, dropping to 6ft, and the morning stays clean with a light E breeze. The energy is moderate (1230). The afternoon gets a bit cross-on and choppy, so hit it early. Thursday the 30th is a real gem – glassy-offshore conditions in the morning with 5ft SW swell and a 13-second period. The energy is still moderate (807), and it’s clean as a whistle. That’s another top pick for the week.
Friday the 31st sees the swell drop to 4ft, but the afternoon goes glassy, making for a fun little session. Saturday the 1st of August is similar, with a clean 4ft swell in the morning, but the period bumps up to 14 seconds, giving it a bit more grunt. Sunday the 2nd is clean in the morning, but the afternoon gets messy.
Then we hit a bit of a lull in terms of quality, but hold on. Monday the 3rd of August is a big one. Monday morning is glassy, with a 8ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds. The energy is very strong (2392). That’s a serious session, but it’s big – over 8ft – so experts only. The afternoon is too big for the break at 10ft.
Tuesday the 4th brings glassy conditions again with a 7ft swell, and the energy is still strong (1184). Wednesday the 5th of August is going to be enormous, with 10ft SW swell, but the wind is strong and cross-shore, making it a mess. You’d be looking at kite surfing there, not paddling. That same pattern of huge, unruly swell continues through to the 7th of August, with waves up to 13ft.
The second week has a few promising windows. Saturday the 8th of August is clean with 8ft SW swell and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is strong (2171). That’s a good bet for experienced surfers. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th are just massive – think 16ft to 21ft – way too big for anything but a jet ski. Tuesday the 11th of August cleans up nicely with a 7ft SSW swell and a light offshore breeze. The energy is strong (2203). That’s a solid option, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it. Wednesday the 12th of August is glassy with 10ft SW swell, but again, it’s too big for the break.
Overall, the best bets are Tuesday afternoon the 28th of July, Thursday morning the 30th of July, and Monday morning the 3rd of August. There’s a big gap of poor conditions from the 5th to the 7th, so plan around that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | 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 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1164 | 1083 | 996 | 796 | 669 | 545 | 416 | 361 | 246 | 589 | 494 | 494 | 464 | 471 | 290 | 2392 | 2886 | 2045 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 5:48AM1.34m | 6:08PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:48AM0.21m | 00:24AM0.25m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — |
 | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 13 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 2247 | 2004 | 1367 | 1164 | 1083 | 996 | 796 | 669 | 545 | 416 | 361 | 246 | 589 | 494 | 494 | 464 | 471 | 290 | 2392 | 2886 | 2045 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SE 10 | SE 11 | — | S 9 | S 9 | WSW 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 187 | 81 | 66 | 30 | 26 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 60 | 215 | 4 | 5 | — | 6 | 6 | 157 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SSE 5 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 6 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | 218 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | SSE 5 |
| kJ | 286 | 334 | 146 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 14 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 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.
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